LIVE | Rajya Sabha passes Waqf Bill (128-95)

Will move SC if Parliament passes Bill: Lucknow Eidgah Imam

#WATCH | Lucknow, UP: On Waqf Amendment Bill, Lucknow Eidgah Imam, Maulana Khalid Rasheed Firangi Mahali says, "...If it is passed in the Lok Sabha, then the doors of the Rajya Sabha are open, and if it is passed by the Rajya Sabha, then the doors of the Supreme Court are open… pic.twitter.com/nVU0oaS0xe

— ANI (@ANI) April 2, 2025

Gogoi slams the Bill's provision that mandates only a person practicing Islam for five years can create waqf. "Will this government dare to ask a person practicing any other faith to give proof of how long he has been practicing that faith. Is this not a violation of Article 26. Is this not unconstitutional and against freedom to practice any religion, eight to privacy," Gogoi asks.

Gogoi dares the Centre to table minutes of all consultations done by Minority Affairs ministry with stakeholders since 2014, claiming that "not a single consultative session saw any demand being made for this Waqf Amendment Bill".

Waqf Bill to be renamed as UMEED Bill

Waqf Bill to be renamed as Unified Waqf Management Empowerment, Efficiency and Development (UMEED) Bill, says Rijiju

BJP didn't even allow Muslims to offer Eid prayers: Gogoi

Gogoi says just some days back we celebrated Eid and in many BJP-ruled states, the party did not even allow Muslims to offer Eid prayers the way they wanted to and these are people talking about Muslim interest.

Waqf Bill won't benefit Muslims, says senior AIMPLB official

All India Muslim Personal Law Board (AIMPLB) has expressed strong opposition to the Waqf (Amendment) Bill, stating that it would be detrimental rather than beneficial for Muslims.

"The AIMPLB and other Muslim organisations have conveyed their concerns over the Bill to the Joint Parliamentary Committee (JPC), but they were not considered. Following this, protests were held in cities, including Delhi and Patna, where demonstrators symbolically wore black bands to emphasise their dissent," senior executive member AIMPLB Maulana Khalid Rashi Farangi Mahali told PTI on Wednesday.

It would be detrimental rather than beneficial for Muslims, he said.

Muslim leaders have asserted that Waqf properties hold religious significance comparable to fundamental Islamic practices such as prayer, fasting and pilgrimage, he said.

"We have urged all Members of Parliament to consider the sentiments of the Muslim community and reject the proposed amendments," he said.

Bill an assault on Constitution: Gogoi

"This Bill and the entire speech (of Rijiju) is an assault on the Constitution and the country's unity. Their intention is to dilute the Constitution, defame the country, divide the country and disenfranchise the minority community," says Gogoi. 

Delhi BJP holds demonstrations in support of Waqf Bill

The Delhi BJP held a demonstration at Vijay Chowk and Rail Bhawan crossing in the national capital on Wednesday to express support for the Waqf (Amendment) Bill, which will be taken up for discussion and passage in the Lok Sabha.

Led by Delhi BJP president Virendra Sachdeva, the BJP members held placards reading "Thank you, Modi, for ensuring a share for backward Muslims in the Waqf Bill".

"The Bill aims to ensure the upliftment of poor Muslims and protect their rights. It will provide legal backing to those whose entitlements have been unfairly taken away," Sachdeva told the gathering.

On those opposing the Bill, he asked why they were against measures meant for the welfare of the community.

Everything Rijiju has said about 2013 amendments is a lie: Gogoi

As Gogoi objects, Birla says he allowed Rijiju to speak because Gogoi hadn't yet started his intervention. Gogoi says "everything he (Rijiju) has said about the 2013 amendments to the Waqf Bill is a lie, totally misleading and should be struck off records".