Fri Apr 04 05:03:13 UTC 2025: ## Parliament Passes Controversial Waqf Amendment Bill Amidst Opposition Backlash

**New Delhi, April 4, 2025** – The Indian Parliament passed the Waqf (Amendment) Bill, 2025, early this morning after a marathon debate spanning two houses. The Rajya Sabha approved the bill by a vote of 128 to 95, following its passage in the Lok Sabha on Wednesday after a 12-hour debate.

The government claims the bill aims to increase transparency in the administration of Waqf properties, insisting it does not target the Muslim community. However, the opposition vehemently disagreed, alleging the bill aims to marginalize Muslims and questioning its intent and content. They accused the government of fear-mongering for political gain.

Home Minister Amit Shah, defending the bill in the Lok Sabha, assured the Muslim community that the legislation would not interfere with their religious practices.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi hailed the bill’s passage as a “watershed moment.”

The Congress party has announced its intention to challenge the bill’s constitutionality in the Supreme Court. AICC general secretary Jairam Ramesh stated on X (formerly Twitter) that the party will file a legal challenge, adding that they will continue to resist what they see as government assaults on the Indian Constitution. This follows their ongoing Supreme Court challenge to the Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA).

The bill’s passage has sparked significant controversy, with the opposition and various civil society groups expressing deep concerns about its potential impact on the Muslim community.

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