In a landmark move, the Lok Sabha passed the Waqf (Amendment) Bill 2025, with 288 Members voting in favor and 232 against. The legislation, aimed at making Waqf Boards more inclusive and secular, has sparked intense debate, with opposition parties vehemently rejecting it. Union Minority Affairs Minister Kiren Rijiju, moving the bill, emphasized that it is merely a matter of property and has no connection to religious practices.
However, opposition leaders saw it differently. Gaurav Gogoi of the Congress accused the government of misleading the people, claiming that the bill is constitutionally flawed and designed to dilute the country’s secular fabric. Akhilesh Yadav of the Samajwadi Party alleged that the bill is a ploy to divert attention from the government’s failures on issues like price rise, unemployment, and demonetization.
A similar sentiment was expressed by TMC MP Kalyan Banerjee, who described the bill as “misconceived, irrational, and arbitrary,” aimed at curtailment of the rights of the Muslim community. AR Raja of the DMK termed the legislation “unconstitutional and anti-minority,” warning that it would harm Muslims.
The opposition’s concerns were echoed by Union Home Minister Amit Shah, who categorically stated that there is no provision in the bill to include non-Muslims in the management of religious institutions. Shah rebuked the opposition, saying that the misconception is being spread to instill fear among minorities and to appease specific voter demographics.
Participating in the discussion, Ravi Shankar Prasad of the BJP urged the opposition to quote the law in its entirety, emphasizing that the Constitution itself supports the government’s actions to protect Waqf properties and uplift marginalized communities. Prasad also highlighted the bill’s provisions for mandatory inclusion of women in Waqf Boards, aimed at enhancing transparency and gender justice in Waqf property management.
Krishna Prasad Tenneti of the TDP supported the bill, viewing Waqf properties worth 1.2 lakh crore rupees and over 36 lakh acres of land as an opportunity for economic and social transformation for minorities. However, Mohibbulah of the Samajwadi Party alleged that the bill violates the fundamental rights of equality and religion, as well as the autonomy of Waqf Boards.
As the Lok Sabha approved the Mussalman Wakf (Repeal) Bill 2024, repealing the Mussalman Wakf Act 1923, the debate surrounding the Waqf (Amendment) Bill 2025 continues. While the government maintains that the legislation is intended to ensure transparency and accountability in Waqf property management, opposition parties remain skeptical, claiming that it is an assault on the country’s secular fabric and a threat to minority rights.
In the end, the passing of the bill is a testament to the government’s commitment to reforms, with many arguing that it has the potential to bring about positive change in the lives of marginalized communities. As the debate rages on, one thing is clear: the fate of India’s Waqf properties hangs in the balance, with the government, opposition, and the country itself watching with bated breath.
Original Source: https://www.newsonair.gov.in/lok-sabha-passes-waqf-amendment-bill-2025/
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Publish Date: 2025-04-03 01:57:00
