As Parliament reconvenes today, Union Parliamentary Affairs Minister Kiren Rijiju is set to move the Waqf (Amendment) Bill, 2025, for passage. The bill seeks to amend the Waqf Act of 1995 to address challenges in the regulation and management of Waqf properties.
Additionally, Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman will present amendments made by the Rajya Sabha to the Banking Laws (Amendment) Bill, 2024, for consideration. This bill proposes further amendments to key banking legislations, including the Reserve Bank of India Act, 1934, and the Banking Regulation Act, 1949.
Meanwhile, Union Ministers Jitendra Singh, L Murugan, and Ravneet Singh will table documents related to their respective ministries.
The Waqf (Amendment) Bill is expected to be introduced after the Question Hour today, followed by an extended discussion. Both the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and the Congress have issued whips to ensure full attendance of their MPs, reflecting the contentious nature of the legislation.
With no signs of bipartisan consensus between the ruling BJP-led National Democratic Alliance (NDA) and the Opposition INDIA bloc, the bill’s fate will likely be determined by floor strength.
Opposition parties, particularly the Samajwadi Party (SP), have strongly opposed the bill. SP chief whip Dharmendra Yadav has instructed all party MPs in the Lok Sabha to be present and actively participate in discussions.
On Tuesday, leaders of the INDIA bloc convened to strategize their approach against the bill.
Originally introduced in August 2024, the Waqf (Amendment) Bill was subsequently referred to a Joint Parliamentary Committee led by Jagdambika Pal for further examination.
The proposed amendments aim to modernize the administration of Waqf properties by refining legal definitions, improving registration processes, and incorporating technology for better governance. The bill seeks to address long-standing concerns over mismanagement, corruption, and encroachment of Waqf properties under the existing 1995 law.
