Voting is underway in the Lok Sabha for the Waqf (Amendment) Bill 2025, following an intense 12-hour debate that saw sharp exchanges between the ruling BJP and the opposition parties.
Kiren Rijiju: ‘Poor Muslims Will Thank PM Modi’
Defending the Bill, Minority Affairs Minister Kiren Rijiju hit out at the opposition for calling it “unconstitutional,” stating that the law governing Waqf properties has existed for decades and has never been struck down by courts.
“Crores of poor Muslims will thank PM Modi on the bill being passed,” Rijiju asserted while rejecting opposition claims that the Bill is “anti-Muslim.”
He also criticized opposition leaders for allegedly misleading the minority community, stating:
“Some leaders are just not prepared to accept the truth, despite Home Minister Amit Shah nicely elucidating on all issues.”
Amit Shah Accuses Opposition of ‘Vote Bank Politics’
Earlier in the debate, Home Minister Amit Shah launched a scathing attack on the opposition, accusing them of fearmongering for political gains.
“The opposition is trying to build its vote bank by scaring the minority community,” Shah said.
He clarified that the government does not intend to interfere in religious activities but aims to regulate the administration of Waqf properties.
“No non-Islamic member will get a place in the Waqf Board’s work related to religious donations. A person of any religion can become the Charity Commissioner, ensuring that the board runs according to charity law. This is an administrative role, not a religious one.”
Amit Shah Blames Congress for 2013 Amendment
Shah also criticized the 2013 amendment to Waqf laws, alleging that it led to “appeasement politics.”
“In 2013, the Waqf law was made extreme overnight for appeasement, due to which 123 VVIP properties in Delhi’s Lutyens zone were given to Waqf,” he claimed.
Joint Parliamentary Committee Consultations
Defending the Bill’s drafting process, Shah highlighted the extensive consultations done by the Joint Parliamentary Committee:
- 38 meetings were held
- 113 hours of discussion took place
- 284 stakeholders were consulted
- Over 1 crore online suggestions were received and analyzed
“This law was made after extensive discussions, and it cannot be rejected like this,” Shah added.
Key Provisions of the Waqf (Amendment) Bill 2025
The Waqf (Amendment) Bill 2025 seeks to:
✅ Improve the administration and management of Waqf properties
✅ Enhance the efficiency of Waqf boards
✅ Strengthen the registration process
✅ Introduce technology-based management of Waqf records
Alongside, the Mussalman Wakf (Repeal) Bill, 2024 was also introduced, repealing outdated provisions from earlier Waqf-related laws.
What’s Next?
With Lok Sabha voting underway, all eyes are on the final outcome. If passed, the Bill will move to the Rajya Sabha for further deliberation. The political battle over the impact on religious rights and property laws is expected to continue.