New Delhi [India]: Congress MP Imran Pratapgarhi staged a protest in front of Parliament on Wednesday ahead of the tabling of the Waqf Amendment Bill 2025 in the House.
Dressed in black attire and holding a placard that read “Reject Waqf Bill,” Pratapgarhi voiced his opposition to the proposed amendments to the Waqf Act of 1995.
Opposition Parties Stand Against the Bill
The Waqf Amendment Bill 2025, set to be tabled in Parliament on Wednesday, has faced strong opposition from several parties, including Congress and the INDIA Bloc.
Congress MP K Suresh stated:
“The entire opposition is against this bill. Our members in the Joint Parliamentary Committee have also decided to oppose it. Yesterday, the INDIA Bloc leaders unanimously decided to stand against the Waqf Amendment Bill.”
Congress MP Khaleequr Rahman criticized the Central Government, alleging that the bill is being introduced “in an unconstitutional manner.”
Samajwadi Party MP Ram Gopal Yadav reiterated his party’s opposition, saying:
“Our party has been against this bill from the start. The amendments are dictatorial and unconstitutional. They (BJP) have the majority and will pass it somehow, but we want discussions so that the country understands what they are doing.”
Government’s Legislative Agenda for the Day
Apart from the Waqf Amendment Bill, Parliament will also consider key financial amendments.
- Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman will present the Banking Laws (Amendment) Bill 2024, which seeks to amend various laws, including:
- Reserve Bank of India Act, 1934
- Banking Regulation Act, 1949
- State Bank of India Act, 1955
- Banking Companies (Acquisition and Transfer of Undertakings) Acts of 1970 & 1980
- Union Ministers Jitendra Singh, L Murugan, and Ravneet Singh will also table ministry-related documents.
Whips Issued for Parliament Proceedings
Both the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and Congress have issued whips to their MPs to ensure maximum presence in the House as debate and voting on key bills take place.
Conclusion
With strong opposition from Congress, the INDIA Bloc, and Samajwadi Party, the debate over the Waqf Amendment Bill 2025 is set to be contentious. Meanwhile, the government is expected to push forward with the legislative agenda, including banking reforms.