Waqf Amendment Bill Highlights | ‘Waqf harmed interest of women, Pasmanda Muslims,’ says PM Modi after Bill gets Parliament stamp

Security has been stepped up in sensitive areas of southeast Delhi like Jamia Nagar and educational institutes, including Jamia Millia Islamia, to ensure that law and order is not disturbed by anti-social elements over the contentious Waqf (Amendment) Bill, an official said on Friday.

Delhi Police along with paramilitary forces intensified security arrangements at multiple sensitive areas, he added.

"To maintain law and order at multiple sensitive areas, we have intensified night patrolling and additional deployment will be arranged," a senior police officer said. (PTI)

Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) chief Mayawati on Friday criticised the central government for "rushing" the Waqf (Amendment) Bill, saying that the legislation should have been introduced only after addressing people's concerns and clarifying doubts.

Her remarks came after the Rajya Sabha passed the Bill late Thursday night, a day after its approval in the Lok Sabha, where the opposition strongly opposed it.

"After listening to both the ruling party and the opposition in Parliament on the Waqf Amendment Bill, the conclusion is that if the central government had given the public more time to understand the Bill and addressed all their concerns before bringing it forward, it would have been better," Mayawati posted on X in Hindi.

The BSP leader further expressed disappointment over what she termed as the government's "haste" in passing the Bill.

"It is unfortunate that the government hurriedly introduced and passed this Bill, which is not appropriate. Now that it has been passed, if governments misuse it, then the BSP will stand firmly with the Muslim community. In other words, the party does not support this Bill," she added. (PTI)

Bharat has won, and the Constitution has prevailed, Goa Chief Minister Pramod Sawant said, hailing the passing of the Waqf (Amendment) Bill in Parliament.

The Parliament has approved the Waqf (Amendment) Bill, 2025, as the Rajya Sabha gave its nod to the contentious legislation. It was passed in the Lok Sabha on Thursday, with 288 members supporting it and 232 against it.

In a post on 'X', Sawant on Thursday wrote, "Bharat has won! The Constitution of Bharat has prevailed! The Parliament of Bharat has passed the #wakfamendmentbill 2025." He said the legislation reinforces that the law of the land shall prevail.

"It ensures that the Waqf Board operates with greater transparency, accountability, inclusive representation, and efficient management," he said. (PTI)

PM Narendra Modi thanked all the members of Parliament who participated in the parliamentary and committee discussions, voiced their perspectives and contributed to the strengthening of these legislations. He offered special thanks to the countless people who sent their valuable inputs to the Parliamentary committee.

He said, "Yet again, the importance of extensive debate and dialogue has been reaffirmed."

Prime Minister Narendra Modi posted on social media platform X, "The passage of the Waqf (Amendment) Bill and the Mussalman Wakf (Repeal) Bill by both Houses of Parliament marks a watershed moment in our collective quest for socio-economic justice, transparency and inclusive growth. This will particularly help those who have long remained on the margins, thus being denied both voice and opportunity."

He said, "Gratitude to all Members of Parliament who participated in the Parliamentary and Committee discussions, voiced their perspectives and contributed to the strengthening of these legislations. A special thanks also to the countless people who sent their valuable inputs to the Parliamentary committee. Yet again, the importance of extensive debate and dialogue has been reaffirmed."

Union Minority Affairs Minister Kiren Rijiju on Friday accused the Congress and other opposition parties of scaring the Muslim community with the Waqf Bill and asserted that the central government worked for all with the motto of 'Sabka Saath, Sabka Vikas'.

Participating in a discussion on the Waqf (Amendment) Bill in the Rajya Sabha, Rijiju said the Waqf Board is a statutory body and, as such, like all government bodies, it should be secular.

He said the inclusion of a few non-Muslims on the Waqf Board would not alter the decisions of the body and instead provide value addition. (PTI)

The Rajya Sabha was adjourned at 4 am on Friday after a 17-hour sitting. It will meet again later in the day at 11 am.

Before adjourning the proceedings, Chairman Jagdeep Dhankhar said it was a "rare occasion" that the House is dispersing at 4.02 am to meet again at 11 am on the same day.

The House had assembled at 11 am on Thursday (April 3) and took up the scheduled Zero Hour and Question Hour.

At 1 pm on Thursday, it took up the Waqf (Amendment) Bill, 2025. It was passed at around 2.30 pm on Friday.

The House then passed a statutory resolution moved by Union Home Minister Amit Shah on the imposition of President's Rule in Manipur. (PTI)

As Rajya discussed the Statutory Resolution on President’s Rule in Manipur in the wee hours of Friday, the Opposition hit out at the government and asked as to why has Prime Minister Narendra Modi not visited the violence-hit state till date. Rajya Sabha adjourned till 11 am today.

The Waqf (Amendment) Bill, 2025, which aims to streamline the management of Waqf properties by further amending the existing law that was enacted in 1995, sailed through Parliament on Friday, with Rajya Sabha passing the legislation by 128-95 votes after a marathon debate of 12 hours. Rajya Sabha also passed the Mussalman Wakf (Repealing) Bill, 2025.

Union Minister Kiren Rijiju says, "The Waqf Board is a statutory body and why should only Muslims be included in the statutory body? If there is a dispute between Hindus and Muslims, how will that dispute be resolved?

The voting for Waqf (Amendment) Bill in Rajya Sabha is underway.

Under Opposition attack, Union Minority Affairs Minister Kiren Rijiju and other BJP MPs, including Leader of House in Rajya Sabha J P Nadda, defended the Waqf Amendment Bill saying it was neither unconstitutional nor against Muslims.

Tabling the Waqf (Amendment) Bill in Rajya Sabha, Rijiju kicked off the discussion and rejected the Opposition’s allegation that the Bill was unconstitutional.

“It has been said that what we are doing is unconstitutional and will infringe upon the rights of Muslims. I would like to reject these claims. The management, creation of waqf properties will be done by Muslims, and beneficiaries will be Muslims. The waqf and mutawallis will be Muslims. It is created for religious and charitable purposes… there is no question of involvement of non-Muslims in these matters.”

Asserting that the provisions of the Bill are centred around ensuring “transparency, accountability, and efficiency”, Rijiju said, “We are not trying to hurt anybody’s religious sentiments.”

Listing all the provisions of the existing law, Nadda said it had become “draconian and overpowering”. This “overreaching”, he claimed, even challenged the spirit of the Constitution.

“Shouldn’t Waqf properties be managed properly? Shouldn’t Waqf Boards be accountable to Muslim women and children? Is that a bad argument? We should rise above vote bank politics,” he said.

On the issue of a donor being a practicing Muslim in the proposed law, Nadda said, “I don’t want to go into religious matters. But shouldn’t the donor be a genuine person? And one of the parameters of measuring that is the person should be a practising Muslim. We have not set up CCTV cameras. If the donor says he practices Islam and a Maulvi certifies it we will believe it.” — Deeptiman Tiwary , Vikas Pathak Report

Mallikarjun Kharge, the Leader of Opposition in Rajya Sabha took a dig at the BJP saying they are trying to snatch the right of minorities. Kharge said, "They got 288 votes and 232 in opposition. This means there are gaps and deficiencies in this Bill. They are bulldozing it through. Waqf is about donation, and not to amass money. The one donating could be a Muslim, Hindu, Christian.

You have tried to snatch the rights of minorities. How much money you allotted to minorities, and how much you spent, if I present this, you will be surprised. 18, 274 crore they allocated in five year, 3,574 crore was unspent. This is their thinking for the poor. And they have kept reducing the budget.

You have brought allocation in financial years down to Rs 2608 from Rs 4700 crore, is this their welfare? You are slashing their budget. This reflects that you are not working towards the economic welfare of minorities. You stopped five schemes, Maulana Azad scheme, free coaching, support for students, scheme for providing education in madrasas, you stopped all these schemes and claim that you are working for women, Pasmanda and the poor. At least review these issues.

Their intentions are not right. They will collect Waqf properties, make land back and I don’t know whether their intent is to give it to big corporates. Rijiju has kept a buffet system for us (in parliament today), maybe they have a similar system for giving away (land)

MPs former judges, eminent persons appointed to the Waqf council must be Muslims, now those appointed to central Waqf council, must not be Muslims. In Tirupati trust, do you put any Muslims, or in Ram Mandir trust? I am a Hindu, even Dalits are not in the trust. In so many Mandirs, scheduled castes are not present (in trusts)

You are foraying into all places and meddling everywhere. These things sow seeds of discord. You cannot suppress Muslims, and you will have to resolve (the consequences). You withdraw this, do not make this a prestige issue. We have brought many amendments in the constitution too. This is not good for Muslims, this is against the constitution. This is not good for the society, and you should try to maintain peace and harmony, do not disturb it."

Nikhil Ganekar reports

Ram Gopal Yadav, SP MP said, "All religions should be treated equally. There is a very large population of Muslims in India. If such a large population feels there is injustice, it is not good. Whatever you have done in the past, people are not happy with you. People do not have trust in you. You have not kept your promises.

Treasury speeches focused on land and property. It appears you didn’t remember any between 2014 and 2024. But after you sold every property belonging to the country, then you started looking for new properties. Don’t do this.

We are inching from democratic state to autocratic state. We doubt this Bill because in UP people cannot offer Namaz. In Sambhal when people were offering namaz on the day of Eid, policemen were roaming the streets with guns. So in such a situation even when you bring a good bill concerning minorities, people will not believe you.

So first, handle the UP government that it treats minorities well. This is thoughtless Bill. It will be so difficult to implement it. If you give all rights to the collector then it becomes a violation of Article 26. Do not misuse your majority. Muslims are not your enemy, your arrogance is."

Deeptiman Tiwary reports

MP Kapil Sibal during his speech referred to land under religious trusts in Tamil Nadu, Andhra Pradesh and Telangana and said that there should be reforms within Hindu religion too. There should be improvements in Hindu religion too. If there is self acquired property in Hindu religion, they say I will give it to my son not my daughter. If you talk of women, then even in Hindu law, self acquired property should be given to women too, women too should have rights, you must give us a commitment in this House that you will bring a law that will protect the right of daughters to give self acquired properties.

This board is a statutory board, nobody was nominated. Most nominees were of the government, MPs, judges, civil servants. The Government can give directive to the board, tribunal members can be nominated by the government, why did you supersede it. Mutawali was making mistakes, he made deals. Because of the limitation provisions, the encroachments cannot be challenged after 11 years, you are supporting encroachments. You will not protect against encroachments, are you protecting encroachments?

You have said DMs have full power, what powers will he have, his decision is final. You are talking of Article 21 of the constitution, which decision of the DM will you challenge in a civil court. When he decides this is not a WAQF property you cannot challenge, you give finality to it. You have said the decisions of the tribunal is final, then what right does the civil court have?

There is a difference between WAQF and (Hindu) trust is that WAQF belongs to God, it cannot be sold. It can be donated for schools, for graveyards for the benefit of women, once given it cannot be taken back. Lastly, para 1134 of Babri Masjid judgement says that WAQF by user is an accepted mode of creating a WAQF, please honour the judgement that you extol the virtues of to the rest of the government.

There is a difference between WAQF and (Hindu) trust. It is that WAQF belongs to God, it cannot be sold. It can be donated for schools, for graveyards for the benefit of women, once given it cannot be taken back. Lastly, para 1134 of Babri Masjid judgement says that WAQF by user is an accepted mode of creating a WAQF, please honour the judgement that you extol the virtues of to the rest of the government.

Nirmala Sitharaman intervened and said, "Even in Tami Nadu and Andhra Pradesh,government appointed people monitor and run it. Tirumala board officer is appointed by the government of Andhra Pradesh, the entire system is under the government of Andhra Pradesh. In fact it has led to a lot of feelings that only our temples are controlled by the government, and has led to confusion among Hindu pilgrims too."

Haris Beeran, IUML MP, delivered a fiery speech, saying that the government and the BJP find it convenient to pitch minorities against each other.

In another development, the Biju Janata Dal (BJD), which earlier announced to oppose and vote against the contentious Bill urged its members to “exercise their conscience” during voting and chose not to issue any whip.

BJD MP Muzibulla Khan, who spoke on the bill on behalf of the party, said he stood to oppose the bill. “In 2014, when Modiji won, his slogan was Sabka Saath… Sabka Vikash… Sabka Viswas. Then why there is a sense of distrust in the minds of Muslims? Why there is a sense of partiality in their minds? It’s the responsibility of the government to erase the fear and concerns,” said Khan in the Rajya Sabha.

Khan, also questioned the need for proof of Islam in matters related to Waqf and demanded to strike down the provision.

The change of stance of the party in regard to vote came despite BJD president and former Odisha CM Naveen Patnaik had in September last year stated that there was “a sense of insecurity” among minorities and announced to oppose the bill in the Rajya Sabha.

While hitting the streets over amendments of the Waqf Act, 1995 in November last year, the regional party, with seven MPs in the Rajya Sabha, had alleged that the primary stakeholder—the Muslim community, was not consulted prior to the introduction of legislation.

As debate on the Waqf (Amendment) Bill is ongoing in Rajya Sabha, BJD chief Sasmit Patra on X said: The Biju Janata Dal has always upheld the principles of secularism and inclusivity, ensuring the rights of all communities. We deeply respect the diverse sentiments expressed by different sections of the minority communities regarding the Waqf (Amendment) Bill, 2024. Our Party, having taken these views into careful consideration, has entrusted our Hon’ble Members in the Rajya Sabha with the responsibility of exercising their conscience in the best interest of justice, harmony and the rights of all communities, should the Bill come up for voting. There is no party whip.

Debate on the Waqf (Amendment) Bill is ongoing in Rajya Sabha and Dr Sarfaraz Ahmed, JMM took a jibe at the Centre saying they run bulldozers over properties and emphasis should be on livelihood, jobs and education for Muslims. Dr Ahmed said, "You have been in power for two decades and suddenly you have remembered Muslims. Welfare of Muslims will not happen through amendment in Waqf Board. Talk about livelihood, jobs and education for Muslims. You have run bulldozers for so long that no one believes you anymore.

Waqf does not take anyone's land unless that person is willing to give. And a part of the money earned through the property is spent on welfare. What about all the Waqf properties that have been encroached? What are you doing about that.

For wider consultation you took so.many suggestions. Did you incorporate any of them? This Bill should be sent back for reconsideration."

Deeptiman Tiwary reports

JP Nadda, Union Minister, defending the Waqf (Amendment) Bill alleged the Opposition of attempting to divert and derail the issue. Nadda went on to target the Opposition saying it will be good if they pay heed to poverty people from Muslim community face. Nadda also supported the Bill saying women cannot be deprived of right to property.

JP Nadda, Leader of the Rajya Sabha alleged the Opposition of trying to bulldoze the Waqf Bill brought by Prime Minister Narendra Modi-led Centre. Nadda defended the Bill saying Muslim nations are making Waqf properties transparent and digital and asked why India cannot do it.

Intense debate on the Waqf (Amendment) Bill is ongoing in the Rajya Sabha. John Brittas, CPIM MP from Kerala questioned the Bill saying 13 non Muslims can be permitted as the members of the Waqf council. "These people want to remove Muslims from Waqf board," Brittas said. As he began the speech, Brittas said the BJP is attempting to segregate Hindu gods from Muslims.

In a fiery speech, Manoj Kumar Jha, RJD MP from Bihar questioned the content and intent behind the Bill referring to targeting of mosques and ongoing discussion on the Places of Worship Act. Jha said Hindus in the country are habitual of Muslims and Muslims are habitual of Hindus. "Please don't change it," Jha said.

Amid intense debate on the Waqf (Amendment) Bill, the Rajya Sabha witnessed light moments filled with humorous exchanges between MPs.

While DMK MP Tiruchi Siva was speaking, Union Minister for Finance Nirmala Sitharaman rose from her seat and said he seemed to be pretending not to know the meaning of 'Sabka Saath Sabka Vikas.' Sitharaman pointed out that Siva actually sings Hindi songs very well.

Siva agreed with Sitharaman's point, saying he reads Hindi lyrics in English, then sings, and also asks for their meaning. Hinting at his musical abilities, Siva gave the example of the Rafi song 'Baharon Phool Barsaao.'

Siva didn't fail to take a stance on the ongoing language debate, saying he respects all languages and requested Sitharaman not to use it for political purposes, adding that otherwise, he would have to stop singing Hindi songs altogether. Ghanshyam Tiwari joined in with his share of humor, saying he recalled Siva singing 'Sau Saal Pehle, Mujhe Tujhse Pyaar Tha

Mohammad Nadimul Islam, TMC MP continues his address in Rajya Sabha. Islam says, "It creates a portal to register Waqf properties, but portals clash. What if a Waqf does not get registered under it for six months? Will it become illegal? I want a clarification from the minister.

It diminishes Muslim representation in the Central Waqf Council – out of 22, as many as 12 may be non-Muslim – and state Waqf Boards, in which seven out of 11 may be non-Muslim. In the Bill introduced in the Lok Sabha, they introduced a typo that any member who is a non-Muslim will be disqualified. We caught the error in the committee. So, it is necessary to send the Bill to a Parliamentary committee for scrutiny.

The Bill says it brings Muslim women into the Boards. But women are already there in the state waqf boards and central waqf council. So, what reservation are you giving? It is our party that has 39-% women MPs. You are shouting that you are giving reservation with only 14-%."

Mohammad Nadimul Islam, TMC MP raised his objection towards the Bill terming it as nothing but cultural vandalism and slammed the Centre saying they want excessive government control over Waqf. Islam said, "This Bill wants excessive government control over Waqf. It may be called UMMEED but it is being used to produce only helplessness." He went on to quote Mirza Ghalib and said: “Humko unse wafaa ki hai ummeed, jo nahin jaante wafaa kya hai (We expect loyalty from those who don’t understand its meaning).”

Further he asked whether Muslims have to prove their identity as per the Bill as it demands five years of being a practising Muslim to create a Waqf. Islam said, "The Bill destroys Waqf by user principle, as it demands documentation. It will capture Waqf properties that don’t have papers to show. This is nothing but cultural vandalism."

Vikas Pathak reports

Tiruchi Siva, DMK MP from Tamil Nadu, took a dig at the BJP during his address in the Rajya Sabha. He stated that the party always pushes the slogan 'Sabke Sath Sabka Vikas.' However, he pointed out that their stance towards Muslims is one of exclusion, marginalisation, and dispossession. He also remarked : It's a sad day.

In a brief exchange between the Centre and opposition, Pramod Tiwari cited a rule that one member (Agrawal) cannot make an accusation against another (Naseer) without prior permission for the same. Amit Shah said that he did not accuse Naseer of anything; he just said some people, and not the member, raised slogans of Pakistan Zindabad during his swearing in. Naseer said that only one journalist made a claim that such a slogan had been raised, and that he had said on record that if some people did raise such a slogan, they should be arrested.

BJP MP Radha Mohan Das Agrawal said in the Rajya Sabha, "When Syed Nasser Husain was sworn in to the Rajya Sabha in Bengaluru, I was in Karnataka. His supporters chanted Pakistan Zindabad, and BJP workers who protested were thrown in jail."

"This is a revolutionary Bill that will help poor Muslims. We are Hindus, and history holds witness to our efforts to improve our society by banning Sati and child marriages, and permitting widow remarriage. But no efforts were made to undertake reforms in this Parliament that would help poor Muslims. Under Narendra Modi, this is the first time such things are being done. All his welfare schemes have reached Muslims," he said.

Congress MP Syed Naseer Hussain said in Rajya Sabha, "They are playing politics and want riots in the country. They will ask for papers to register on the portal. If they don’t have them, their people will create a ruckus."

"Are you trying to make us second-grade citizens? They are creating confusion about 123 properties. They are either masjids, Qabristans or dargahs. I want to submit a list of those. When the British occupied Lutyens’ Delhi, these properties were handed over to the Waqf by them after construction of the area. These properties are with the Waqf. These were the ones that are being referred to by them in relation to 2013," he said.