Waqf Bill Clears Rajya Sabha Hurdle With 128-95 Votes, Secures Parliament Nod After Two Days of Heated Debate
The Waqf Amendment Bill received Parliament’s final approval on Thursday, passing in the Rajya Sabha with 128 votes in favour and 95 against, following two days of intense deliberations. The bill had earlier cleared the Lok Sabha, where it passed with a vote count of 288 to 232.
The legislation, introduced by Union Minister Kiren Rijiju in the Lok Sabha on April 2, has ignited widespread political debate. The BJP, backing the bill, has presented it as a step toward transparency and reform in the management of Waqf properties, while Opposition parties have slammed it as discriminatory and unconstitutional.
In the Rajya Sabha, the debate turned sharply political, with BJP leader and Leader of the House, JP Nadda, defending the bill as a measure of inclusion and accountability. “We believe in real service, not lip service. I stand in support of the Waqf Bill as its sole purpose is to bring reforms in managing Waqf properties,” Nadda said. He further accused the Congress of sidelining Muslim women, asserting that the Modi government had worked to integrate them into the mainstream through measures such as banning triple talaq.
The Opposition, led by the Congress, Trinamool Congress, Aam Aadmi Party, DMK, Shiv Sena (UBT), Samajwadi Party, Rashtriya Janata Dal, and the Left, argued that the bill was introduced with “malafide intention” and could potentially be used to target Muslim institutions and communities.
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“The government’s motives are clear. This is not reform but an attempt to seize control of minority affairs under the guise of transparency,” alleged a Congress MP during the debate.
The Waqf Amendment Bill aims to introduce changes in the administration of Waqf properties, which are charitable assets set aside for religious or social welfare purposes in the Muslim community. The proposed amendments seek to tighten control, improve accountability, and streamline record-keeping and dispute resolution mechanisms concerning Waqf assets.
Supporters of the bill argue that it will help protect poor Muslims and ensure Waqf land is not misused or illegally encroached upon. Critics, however, warn that the bill could centralize authority and weaken the autonomy of Waqf boards.
The bill’s passage comes at a politically charged moment, with Opposition leaders accusing the ruling NDA of pushing divisive legislation ahead of the general elections. However, the BJP has maintained that the bill reflects its broader commitment to welfare and governance reforms.
With the Waqf Amendment Bill now passed by both Houses, it will be sent for Presidential assent before becoming law.
As Parliament clears the controversial Waqf Amendment Bill, it sets the stage for further legal and political scrutiny. While the government asserts that the legislation brings necessary reforms, critics remain concerned about its implications for minority rights and federal autonomy
