The Jana Sena Party (JSP) has extended its full support for the Waqf Amendment Bill, which was introduced in the Lok Sabha by the central government. Party chief and Andhra Pradesh Deputy Chief Minister Pawan Kalyan has instructed JSP MPs to actively participate in the voting process and vote in favor of the bill, which aims to modernize the Waqf Act.
In an official statement, the party emphasized that the amendment would benefit the Muslim community. “The central government is introducing the Waqf Amendment Bill in the Lok Sabha, and the Jana Sena Party has expressed its support for it. The party believes that this amendment will bring significant advantages to the Muslim community. Accordingly, party president Pawan Kalyan has directed Jana Sena MPs to vote in favor of the bill,” the statement read.
The bill underwent a review by a Joint Parliamentary Committee (JPC) comprising 31 members. After extensive discussions with stakeholders, intellectuals, and governance experts, the amendments were drafted to modernize the Waqf Act, which dates back to the British era.
BJP MP Jagdambika Pal, chairman of the JPC on the Waqf Amendment Bill, reiterated that the legislation aims to uplift poor and Pasmanda (backward) Muslims by improving the management of Waqf properties.
As Parliament reconvenes, Union Parliamentary Affairs Minister Kiren Rijiju is set to move the Waqf Amendment Bill 2025 for passage. The bill, initially introduced in the Lok Sabha in August last year, has undergone deliberations within the JPC before reaching the final stage.
The proposed amendments seek to address longstanding issues in Waqf property regulation, enhance administrative efficiency, and introduce technological advancements for better management. Critics have long pointed out flaws in the existing Waqf Act of 1995, including allegations of mismanagement, corruption, and encroachments. The new amendment aims to rectify these shortcomings and ensure better governance of Waqf assets.
