Historic Triumph: Rajya Sabha Triumphantly Passes Landmark Waqf (Amendment) Bill Following Lok Sabha Approval | Latest News India
In a landmark session that extended well into the night, the Rajya Sabha approved the Waqf (Amendment) Bill 2025 after an intense debate that highlighted stark differences between the treasury and opposition benches. The debate, starting on Thursday afternoon and finishing past midnight, culminated in the bill’s passage with 128 members voting in favor and 95 opposing it. Chairman Jagdeep Dhankhar noted that the final figures might see minor corrections. With Rajya Sabha’s approval, the bill now moves to the President for her final assent before it becomes law. Alongside this, the Mussalman Wakf (Repeal) Bill 2024 also secured passage in the upper house through a voice vote.
Previously, the Lok Sabha had also signed off on the bill amidst similarly heated discussions. The debate in both houses points to a broader controversy surrounding the bill, which the Narendra Modi government staunchly defends as a necessary reform, while opponents criticize it as unconstitutional and undermining religious freedom. Union Minority Affairs Minister Kiren Rijiju spearheaded the bill’s presentation, having defended it beforehand in the lower house. He emphasized that the bill received adjustments following recommendations from the Joint Parliamentary Committee (JPC). These changes, he argued, addressed previous criticisms and improved the legislative proposal significantly, stating, “When the Waqf Amendment bill was first drafted and the bill that we are passing now, there are a lot of changes.”
The introduction of the Waqf (Amendment) Bill 2025, crafted during the ongoing budget session, aims to amend the original Act of 1995. The proposed amendments target enhancing the administration and management of waqf properties in India, resolving the act’s shortcomings, and ensuring the Waqf boards become more efficient. Key reforms in the bill include refining the registration process and integrating technology into waqf record management, steps seen as crucial for modernizing waqf administrations.
Despite the government’s reassurances, the opposition stood firm in its stance against the bill, voicing concerns over potential impacts on religious institutions and freedoms. These discussions signify a critical moment for the management of waqf properties, assets dedicated to religious or charitable purposes within the Muslim community, and point toward the government’s commitment to reforming this area while navigating complex societal and political dynamics.
The passage of the Waqf (Amendment) Bill reflects the government’s broader legislative strategy, as well as the challenges of balancing modernization with constitutional and cultural considerations. As the bill awaits the President’s signature to officially become law, stakeholders from various sectors will be closely monitoring the implications of these new measures on community governance and religious practices across India.
This development remains a significant talking point in India, underscoring the ongoing debates around civic governance, religious freedoms, and governmental reform processes. As the situation unfolds, further insights and reactions from affected communities and legal experts will contribute to the evolving discourse surrounding the regulation of waqf properties in India.
Original Source: https://www.hindustantimes.com/india-news/rajya-sabha-passes-waqf-amendment-bill-a-day-after-lok-sabha-nod-101743709253666.html
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Publish Date: 2025-04-04 02:33:00
