Wed Apr 02 08:09:12 UTC 2025: ## Heated Debate Erupts in Lok Sabha Over Controversial Waqf Amendment Bill
**New Delhi, April 2, 2025** – The Lok Sabha witnessed a fiery eight-hour debate today on the contentious Waqf Amendment Bill, sparking a war of words between the ruling BJP and the opposition Congress. The bill, proposing significant changes to the administration of Muslim charitable properties, was introduced by Minority Affairs Minister Kiren Rijiju.
Rijiju launched a scathing attack on the Congress, accusing the previous UPA government of questionable dealings involving Waqf properties, including the alleged denotification of 123 major buildings. He claimed that had the UPA government continued, even the Parliament building could have been claimed as Waqf property.
Congress MP Gaurav Gogoi vehemently refuted Rijiju’s claims, calling the amendments an “assault on the Constitution” and accusing the minister of making misleading statements. Gogoi questioned the Ministry’s failure to mention the bill in any of its parliamentary committee meetings in 2023.
The debate centered around the bill’s provisions, which include mandating at least two non-Muslim members on each state Waqf Board and the central Waqf Council, and requiring Muslim donors to have practiced their faith for at least five years. Rijiju insisted the changes were purely for property management and governance, not interfering with religious practices. He also highlighted the removal of a provision allowing any land to be declared Waqf property.
However, the opposition strongly criticized these provisions. Gogoi highlighted the five-year practice requirement for donations as problematic, questioning the government’s move towards issuing “religious certificates.” He also accused the BJP of trying to defame minority communities.
The debate also saw a point of order raised by NK Ramachandran of the Revolutionary Socialist Party, who challenged the authority of the joint parliamentary committee (JPC) to make changes to the bill. Union Home Minister Amit Shah responded, clarifying that the government, not the JPC, had accepted the proposed amendments.
The Waqf Amendment Bill’s journey has been marked by controversy, with the JPC process itself facing accusations of bias from the opposition due to the rejection of all 44 opposition amendments and the acceptance of 14 out of 23 from the ruling party and its allies. The bill’s passage is expected to further fuel political tensions, particularly ahead of the upcoming Bihar Assembly elections.
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