Union Minister for Parliamentary Affairs, Kiren Rijiju, on Thursday, introduced the Waqf (Amendment) Bill, 2025 and the Musalmaan Wakf (Repeal) Bill in the Rajya Sabha, urging members to consider the proposed reforms.
Addressing the upper house, Rijiju cited the recommendations of the Sachar Committee Report, which emphasized making the Central Waqf Council and state Waqf Boards more inclusive. He pointed out that in 2006, the Sachar Committee estimated the earnings from 4.9 lakh Waqf properties at ₹12,000 crore. Today, with 8.72 lakh Waqf properties, the revenue is expected to have grown significantly.
“The Sachar Committee also recommended specific measures for the welfare of women and children. This bill seeks to address those recommendations,” Rijiju stated.
Rijiju also referenced the Joint Parliamentary Committee (JPC) led by Congress leader K Rahman Khan, which had highlighted structural issues within the Waqf Boards, including lack of manpower, inadequate funding, and the need for better infrastructure.
“A JPC under the leadership of K Rahman Khan, who served as the Minority Affairs Minister, pointed out critical gaps in Waqf Board administration. This bill seeks to rectify those issues, ensuring transparency and efficiency,” he added.
Rijiju stressed that the bill had undergone extensive consultation, with input from 284 organizations across the country. Additionally, over one crore people submitted memorandums expressing their views.
“The Ministry of Minority Affairs took into confidence multiple stakeholders, including state minority commissions, before drafting this bill. The JPC has conducted one of the most comprehensive reviews in history,” Rijiju emphasized.
Making a direct appeal to opposition parties, especially the Congress and its allies, Rijiju noted that many of the bill’s provisions were based on earlier UPA-era recommendations.
“Since these recommendations were put forth under Congress-led governments, I urge the Congress party and its allies to support the Waqf (Amendment) Bill, 2025 for the greater good of the community,” he said.
With the bill now up for consideration in the Rajya Sabha, discussions are expected to intensify as different political factions deliberate on its potential impact.
