After passing the Lok Sabha, the Waqf (Amendment) Bill 2025 was introduced in the Rajya Sabha on Thursday, where it was approved following a heated 12-hour-long debate. The bill received 128 votes in favor and 95 votes against in the upper house. In the Lok Sabha, it was passed with 288 votes in favor and 232 against. With its passage in both houses, the bill now moves to the President for final approval, after which it will officially become law.
The Modi government introduced this bill with the objective of streamlining the administration and management of Waqf properties. However, it sparked a fierce political battle between the ruling NDA and opposition parties in both houses of Parliament.
JDU Backs the Bill, Calls It a Win for Pasmanda Muslims
During the Rajya Sabha debate, JDU MP Sanjay Kumar Jha defended the bill, stating that it would ensure Pasmanda Muslims get proper representation in Waqf boards for the first time. He also criticized the misinformation spread about the bill, asserting that its passage would genuinely benefit poor and underprivileged Muslims.
Former PM Deve Gowda Supports the Amendment
Former Prime Minister HD Deve Gowda extended his full support to the bill. He clarified that the amendment does not interfere with Muslim religious practices but solely focuses on reforming the administration and revenue management of Waqf properties. Gowda also highlighted that Waqf boards in India control over 8.7 lakh properties and 9.4 lakh acres of land, valued at an estimated ₹1.2 lakh crore. However, he alleged that a handful of powerful individuals have been exploiting these assets for personal gains.
Opposition Slams the Bill, Calls It an Attack on Minorities
Congress leader Mallikarjun Kharge strongly opposed the bill, calling it a deliberate move to harass minorities. He questioned why the 1995 Waqf Act remained unchanged for decades without objections from the BJP, but is now being amended. Kharge criticized the removal of Survey Commissioners and Additional Commissioners, arguing that handing over Waqf property management to District Collectors could create new hardships for Muslims.
With the bill now approved by both houses of Parliament, it will be sent to the President of India for final assent. Once signed, it will officially become law, leading to significant changes in the governance and oversight of Waqf properties across India.
As the political battle continues, the real impact of the Waqf (Amendment) Bill 2025 will be seen in its implementation and how it affects Muslim communities, property management, and legal frameworks in the coming years.
