Union Minister and BJP National President JP Nadda is set to address the Rajya Sabha on Thursday at 1 PM regarding the Waqf (Amendment) Bill 2025. The bill, which was passed in the Lok Sabha after a marathon 12-hour debate, will now be tabled in the Upper House.
The Lok Sabha cleared the bill with a majority vote of 288 in favor and 232 against. The debate saw fierce opposition from members of the INDIA bloc, while BJP and its allies strongly supported the bill, arguing that it would bring transparency and enhance the efficiency of Waqf boards.
Commenting on the bill, BJP MP Sanjay Jaiswal accused the opposition of attempting to create religious divisions. He emphasized that Home Minister Amit Shah had clarified the government’s stance, stating that there was no intention to interfere in the affairs of the Muslim community.
BJP MP Damodar Agarwal defended the bill, stating, “The opposition claims this bill is divisive, but their arguments are politically motivated. The bill was drafted after thorough discussions and inputs from numerous organizations, and was carefully reviewed by the Joint Parliamentary Committee (JPC). It is aimed at benefiting poor and orphaned Muslims by improving the management of Waqf properties.”
On the other hand, Congress MP and JPC member Imran Masood strongly opposed the bill, calling it a “black day” for the Muslim community. “This is an attack on our rights. The Muslim community and Waqf institutions will suffer due to this bill. We will challenge this in court,” he stated.
During the Lok Sabha debate, opposition members from the INDIA bloc called the bill “unconstitutional” and an attempt to “take away” the rights of minorities. The NDA government, in response, accused the opposition of “misleading” the public and “spreading misinformation.”
The bill seeks to amend the Waqf Act of 1995 to improve the administration and management of Waqf properties across India. Key provisions include enhancing the efficiency of Waqf boards, streamlining the registration process, and incorporating technology for better record-keeping.
After the lengthy debate, the bill was passed despite opposition-backed amendments being rejected. Parliamentary Affairs Minister Kiren Rijiju, in his closing remarks, defended the bill, stressing that it is intended to modernize and strengthen Waqf management rather than infringe upon minority rights.
With the bill now headed for debate in the Rajya Sabha, all eyes will be on JP Nadda’s address and the discussions that follow, as the opposition prepares to intensify its resistance.
