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
- 3 April 2025 7:47 AM GMT
Rijiju urges Congress MPs to support Waqf Bill
"Sachar Committee had also recommended specific measures to utilise Waqf properties for helping women and children. A JPC headed by Congress leader K Rahman Khan (UPA era) also pointed out problems with Waqf Boards, their functioning, issues of centralisation of power over Waqf with Mutawwalis and so on. It recommended sound financial practices to be adopted by Waqf boards. All these recommendations since 1976 have been incorporated in our Bill. All these committees were formed by Congress governments and so I appeal to the Congress to support our Bill because the Narendra Modi government is fulfilling the vision laid out during your regimes but which you could never fulfill," says Rijiju.
- 3 April 2025 7:45 AM GMT
Need to utilise Waqf properties efficiently: Rijiju
"In 1976, when the Waqf Inquiry report was submitted, the committee formed by Congress government proposed steps for improving functions of Waqf and detailed the misuse of Waqf by Mutawwalis. The Sachar Committee report in 2006 also urged strengthening of Waqf Boards while saying there are 4.9 lakh Waqf properties in the country having a total income of Rs 163 crore per annum then, which if these properties were efficiently utilised would have been Rs 12,000 crore annually. Today the Waqf properties are over 8.7 lakh so as per market rates today how much revenue could these generate if Sachar Committee's estimates are taken into account," says Rijiju in Rajya Sabha.
- 3 April 2025 7:40 AM GMT
Rijiju starts speaking in Rajya Sabha
"Before the Waqf (Amendment) Bill was sent to the JPC, our ministry had already held wide consultations with stakeholders. The JPC also held its discussions and no other JPC in the past has held such extensive discussions. 284 organisations deposed before the JPC and over 97 lakh individuals submitted their suggestions to the JPC. This is historic. Consultations have also been held with state government and subsequently the Bill was passed by Lok Sabha late last night, or rather early this morning," Rijiju says in Rajya Sabha. - 3 April 2025 7:33 AM GMT
Waqf Bill moved in Rajya Sabha
Union Minority Affairs minister Kiren Rijiju moves Waqf (Amendment) Bill, as passed by Lok Sabha, in Rajya Sabha for consideration and passing.
