LIVE | Rajya Sabha passes Waqf Bill after fiery debate between Centre, Opposition
The Bill also exposed chinks in the armour of Opposition parties as BJD and YSRCP chose not to issue a whip to their respective members
Following two days of a fiery debate in both Houses of Parliament, the contentious Waqf (Amendment) Bill for sweeping changes in the regulation of Waqf properties and settlement of disputes got Parliament’s approval early on Friday morning with the majority in Rajya Sabha also supporting the Bill.
The Bill was passed in the Rajya Sabha with 128 members voting in favour and 95 opposing it.
However, before its passage, it also exposed a chink in the armour of the Opposition parties. Two non-NDA parties signalled a shift in stance. BJD, which opposed the Bill, withdrew its whip and told its MPs to vote according to their conscience “in the best interest of justice, harmony and the rights of all communities”. Jagan Mohan Reddy-led YSRCP also said it had not issued a whip to its members.
The discussion witnessed staunch objections from Opposition parties, which termed the Bill “anti-Muslim” and “unconstitutional” with the government responding that the “historic reform” would benefit the minority community.
It was passed in the Lok Sabha early Thursday, with 288 members supporting it and 232 against it.
Parliament also approved the Mussalman Wakf (Repeal) Bill, 2025, with the Rajya Sabha approving it. The Lok Sabha has already given its nod to the Bill.
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Live Updates
- 4 April 2025 7:33 AM GMT
Speaker chides Sonia over her Waqf bill 'bulldozed through' remarks
Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla on Friday chided former Congress president Sonia Gandhi over her Waqf (Amendment) Bill was "bulldozed through" remarks, and said a senior member casting aspersions on the House proceedings was "most unfortunate" as well as against the dignity of parliamentary democracy.
Without taking the name of Sonia, who is a member of the Rajya Sabha, Birla took a stern view on her remarks after Parliamentary Affairs Minister Kiren Rijiju raised the issue and asked the Speaker to render a ruling on it.
Addressing party MPs at a meeting of the Congress Parliamentary Party in Samvidhan Sadan here on Thursday, Sonia had said, "Yesterday, the Wakf Amendment Bill, 2024 was passed in the Lok Sabha and today it is scheduled to come up in the Rajya Sabha. The bill was in effect bulldozed through. Our party's position is clear. The Bill is a brazen assault on the Constitution itself. It is very much part of the BJP's deliberate strategy to keep our society in a state of permanent polarization." With Rijiju calling for a ruling on the matter, Birla said a senior member of the Congress, who has been a member of this House and is currently a member of the other House, made remarks in Parliament House complex that the Waqf (Amendment) Bill was bulldozed through.
Birla pointed out that on the Waqf (Amendment) bill the Lower House had a debate for 13 hours and 53 minutes in which several members of various parties participated.
"There was division thrice on the bill and it was passes as per the rules of the House. That is why it is highly unfortunate that despite the House sitting till late night and passing the bill after a long debate, a senior member is casting aspersions on the House proceedings which is not appropriate," Birla said.
"It is not in accordance with the dignity of parliamentary democracy," he said. PTI
- 4 April 2025 7:23 AM GMT
BJP demands Sonia Gandhi's apology over her Waqf Bill remarks
The BJP has demanded an apology from Congress leader Sonia Gandhi over her remarks on the Waqf Bill. Sonia termed the Waqf Bill a "brazen assault" on the Constitution, accusing the BJP of seeking to keep society in a state of "permanent polarisation."
- 4 April 2025 6:59 AM GMT
Lok Sabha adjourned sine die; Budget session concludes
The Lok Sabha was adjourned sine die on Friday, bringing down the curtains on the Budget session which began on January 31.
As soon as the House met at 12 noon after an adjournment over remarks by Congress leader Sonia Gandhi, Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla read out his valedictory remarks and adjourned the House sine die (indefinitely till the new session is convened).
He said as many as 16 bills were passed during the session and the House productivity was pegged at over 118 per cent.
As he spoke, opposition members were raising slogans against Birla's observation against Gandhi that her claim that the Waqf amendment Bill was bulldozed without discussion was unfortunate and against dignity of the House.
During the session, the government completed its budgetary exercise after the Lok Sabha gave its nod to the demands for grants for the various ministries as well as the Finance Bill.
The budget for Manipur, under central rule, was also cleared.
The Waqf Amendment Bill, which witnessed a showdown between the government and the Opposition, was passed by Parliament as the two Houses sat for long hours to clear the law. PTI
- 4 April 2025 6:58 AM GMT
Waqf Bill will benefit Munambam residents: Union Minister Suresh Gopi
Union Minister Suresh Gopi on Friday stated that the recently passed Waqf Amendment Bill in Parliament would benefit the residents of Munambam, who have been protesting for revenue rights over their properties against Waqf Board's claims.
Speaking to reporters, the Union Minister of State for Petroleum and Natural Gas and Tourism reiterated that the bill would be advantageous to Munambam residents.
"Waqf is an institution meant for the greater good. However, certain barbaric practices within it needed to be eliminated," he said without elaborating and added that "The Bill is a legal step towards ending such practices." He further claimed that the new amendment would also benefit the Muslim community.
When asked whether the amendment would have a retrospective effect, Gopi responded, "Wait, sir. Wasn’t it you who said this bill would never come at all?" Dismissing concerns raised by the opposition that the bill has no retrospective effect and it could not resolve the Munambam issue, he urged people to consult unbiased experts regarding the allegations against the amendment.
"It is the opposition that tried to divide the people," Gopi alleged.
