Waqf Amendment Bill 2025 Passed by Rajya Sabha

Waqf Amendment Bill 2025: In a significant legislative development, the Waqf Amendment Bill 2025 was passed in the Rajya Sabha in the early hours of Friday after an intense 12-hour debate. The Bill received 128 votes in favour and 95 against, marking a pivotal step toward reforming the administration of Waqf properties in India. With the Lok Sabha having already approved it a day earlier (288 Ayes to 232 Noes), the Bill now awaits the President’s assent to become law.

The legislation, presented by Minority Affairs Minister Kiren Rijiju, seeks to enhance transparency, accountability, and inclusivity in the management of Waqf properties. It introduces critical changes, such as mandating proof of ownership before any property is declared Waqf, and includes provisions to curb corruption and misuse of Waqf assets.

During the debate, Rijiju emphasized that the Bill is not about religion but about property management, asserting that non-Muslims will not interfere in the creation or management of Waqf properties. “This is about protecting poor Muslims, ensuring their access to rightful resources, and eliminating corruption,” he said, adding that “the Modi government works with the vision of Sabka Saath, Sabka Vikas.”

Union Home Minister Amit Shah supported the Bill, stating that the 2013 Act lacked provisions for civil suits and only allowed writ jurisdiction in High Courts, making justice inaccessible for many. “We’re ensuring that decisions about disputed Waqf properties will now involve senior government officials and not be left solely to tribunals,” he explained.

The Bill has stirred strong reactions across party lines. While the BJP and its allies strongly supported it, several Opposition leaders condemned it as discriminatory and divisive. Congress’s Syed Naseer Hussain argued the Bill misrepresents facts and attempts to portray religious sites such as mosques and dargahs as encroachments. He added, “It treats Muslims like second-class citizens and curtails their rights.”

Contentious Provisions Draw Fire from the Opposition

Leader of Opposition Mallikarjun Kharge raised constitutional concerns and criticized the inclusion of non-Muslims in the Waqf Boards. “Will you include a Muslim in the Ram Mandir Trust or Tirupati temple trust?” he questioned, adding that such changes could incite disputes and disharmony.

Amid this political crossfire, a significant shift came from non-NDA parties like the Biju Janata Dal (BJD) and YSR Congress Party (YSRCP), both of which refused to issue a party whip, allowing their MPs to vote based on conscience. This move by the BJD, in particular, was seen as a crack in the opposition bloc and gave a boost to the bill’s passage.

BJD’s Sasmit Patra stated that the party respects the sentiments of minority communities and left the decision to its MPs, acknowledging the complexity of the issue. The decision likely played a role in securing the final tally of 128 in favor.

JP Nadda, Union Minister and Leader of the House, reiterated that the Waqf Amendment Bill 2025 is a product of extensive consultations and embodies the intent to empower marginalized Muslims, especially widows and divorced women. “If Muslim nations can digitize Waqf property records and ensure good governance, why can’t India?” he asked.

However, critics such as AIMIM’s Imtiaz Jaleel and DMK’s Tiruchi Siva maintained that the Bill is unconstitutional and targets a particular community. Sanjay Singh of the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) went as far as questioning whether similar reservations would be made in Hindu trusts for marginalized groups like SC/STs or OBCs.

Despite these objections, the Waqf Amendment Bill 2025 is being positioned by the government as a landmark step toward reform, secularism, and modernization of Waqf governance. It proposes a more structured framework for ownership verification, introduces stricter checks on property donations, and aims to create a more inclusive and efficient Central Waqf Council and local Waqf Boards.

The Waqf Amendment Bill 2025 also repeals the Mussalman Wakf Act of 1923, replacing century-old legal frameworks with a system that aligns with contemporary governance norms.

Conclusion

As the Waqf Amendment Bill 2025 now heads to the President for final approval, its implementation will be closely monitored across the country. While it promises transparency in Waqf and better representation for underprivileged Muslims, it also raises questions about religious autonomy, minority rights, and federal decision-making.

Whether it ushers in much-needed reform or leads to prolonged disputes will depend largely on how it is enacted on the ground. For now, the Waqf Amendment Bill 2025 stands as one of the most debated and consequential pieces of legislation in recent years.