Desk: After passing in the Lok Sabha, the Waqf (Amendment) Bill, 2025 was presented in the Rajya Sabha on Thursday, where it underwent nearly 12 hours of debate before being approved. The bill received 128 votes in favor and 95 against in its favor in the Rajya Sabha. Meanwhile, in the Lok Sabha, 288 members voted in favor while 232 opposed it. The next step involves approval from the President, after which it will become law. It is noteworthy that the Modi government introduced this bill with the aim of improving the administration and management of Waqf properties. However, it sparked intense clashes between the ruling BJP and opposition parties in both houses of parliament.
During the debate in the Rajya Sabha, JD(U) MP Sanjay Kumar Jha stated that for the first time, marginalized Muslims, constituting 73% of Bihar’s Muslim population, will have representation on the Waqf Board. He mentioned that there were rumors circulating among Muslims regarding this bill, but the situation clarified after the debate in the Rajya Sabha. According to Jha, the implementation of this law will serve the genuine interests of poor Muslims.
Former Prime Minister H.D. Deve Gowda openly supported the bill in the Rajya Sabha. He emphasized that the legislation does not interfere with Muslim religious practices but is solely concerned with the administration and revenue of Waqf properties. Gowda highlighted that in India, Waqf boards manage 8.7 lakh properties and 9.4 lakh acres of land, valued at approximately ₹1.2 lakh crore, which were being exploited by influential individuals for their own benefit.
During the bill’s discussion, Congress leader Mallikarjun Kharge vehemently opposed the bill, alleging it to be a conspiracy to harass minorities. He pointed out that there were no amendments made to the 1995 Waqf Act, which did not pose any problems for the BJP at that time. Kharge argued that removing the Survey Commissioner and additional commissioners and assigning responsibility to the collector would create new challenges for Muslims.