Congress workers during a protest rally against the Waqf (Amendment) Bill, in Kolkata, on Thursday. PTI Photo
LIVE | Rajya Sabha passes Waqf Bill (128-95)
While the Opposition questioned the timing and intent of the govt, Union Minister Kiren Rijiju reiterated that the Bill won’t step on the rights of the Muslim community
After a 13-hour debate, the Rajya Sabha has cleared the controversial Waqf Bill, with by 128 members voting in favour and 95 against.
The government maintained that the bill is not directed against Muslims, instead it only aims to bring greater transparency in the administration of Waqf properties, but the Opposition said it's a ploy to alineate the minority community.
While the Opposition MPs questioned the timing and intent of the Bill, Union Minister JP Nadda defended the Centre’s stand, wondering why India’s can’t do it when even Muslim countries like Iraq have amended the Waqf law.
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.
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Live Updates
- 2 April 2025 4:39 PM IST
Oppn parties resisting changes in Waqf Bill due to policy of appeasement: Vijayvargiya
Madhya Pradesh minister and BJP leader Kailash Vijayvargiya on Wednesday hit out at the opposition parties over the Waqf (Amendment) Bill, saying they were against proposed changes in the legislation due to their policy of appeasement.
The senior BJP leader said that many "sensible" people from the Muslim community were celebrating the bill, but those who were deliberately pretending to be asleep could not be woken up.
- 2 April 2025 4:21 PM IST
Union government will next target temples: Shiv Sena UBT
Today government is targetting mosques, later it could be temples: Shiv Sena (UBT) MP: Arvind Ganpat Sawant
- 2 April 2025 4:18 PM IST
Shiv Sena (UBT) opposes the Waqf Bill
Shiv Sena (UBT) MP Arvind Ganpat Sawant opposes Waqf Amendment Bill in the Lok Sabha
- 2 April 2025 4:13 PM IST
States should decide the composition of Waqf Boards: Tenneti
Speaking on behalf of the TDP and JD(U), Krishna Pradad Tenneti and Rajiv Ranjan Singh 'Lalan', have announced support for the Bill in Lok Sabha. TDP MP Tenneti has, however, urged the Centre to allow amendment in the Bill that will let States decide the composition of the Waqf Boards.
- 2 April 2025 4:06 PM IST
J-K political parties oppose Waqf Bill, term it 'interference in religious matters'
Political parties in Kashmir on Wednesday opposed the amendments made to the Waqf Act saying it was an interference in religious matters and an attempt to disempower Muslims.
"This bill is designed to disempower Muslims. I don't have any hope with BJP as we have been seeing for the past 10-11 years how Muslims are lynched and mosques demolished... but the Hindu brethren should step forward because this is the nation of Gandhi, it should run as per the constitution," PDP president Mehbooba Mufti told the reporters.
People's Conference chairman Sajad Gani Lone also opposed the Waqf Bill amendments. Waqf by definition is the custodian of properties which are collectively owned by Muslims, he said.
Chief Minister Omar Abdullah also said his party would not support the amendments as "only one religion is being targeted".
- 2 April 2025 4:03 PM IST
BJP urges Kerala MPs to support Waqf Bill; CPI(M), IUML oppose it
As the CPI(M) and the IUML opposed the Bill, BJP state president Rajeev Chandrasekhar urged the MPs from Kerala to support the legislation.
He said that the Bill was not against any community and that it will help to solve the problems being faced by the people of Munambam.
Meanwhile, Islamic scholar and Samastha leader Abdul Samad Pookkottur said that the Bill has no connection with the Munambam issue.
- 2 April 2025 3:29 PM IST
Waqf Bill will harm the Muslims: A Raja
Earlier changes in Waqf Act made after consensus, debate. Waqf Bill is unnecessary and will harm the Muslim community: A Raja
