Thu Apr 03 21:41:08 UTC 2025: ## Waqf Amendment Bill Passes Rajya Sabha After Heated Debate

**New Delhi, April 4, 2025** – The Rajya Sabha passed the Waqf (Amendment) Bill 2025 early Friday morning after a nearly 14-hour debate, with 128 votes in favor and 95 against. The bill, which had already passed the Lok Sabha on Thursday, aims to increase transparency in the administration of Waqf properties.

The government asserted the bill is not targeted against Muslims, emphasizing its goal of improving the management of Waqf assets. However, the opposition strongly contested this, alleging the bill aims to marginalize the Muslim community and questioning both its intent and content. Several opposition MPs wore black in protest.

The debate was marked by sharp exchanges between the ruling party and the opposition. Congress MP Syed Naseer Hussain criticized the bill as discriminatory, arguing it would create second-class citizens. He also linked the bill’s timing to the 2024 Lok Sabha elections, suggesting it was a tactic for political gain.

Union Minister for Minority Affairs Kiren Rijiju countered these claims, stating the inclusion of non-Muslim members in Waqf boards was intended to ensure secular governance, not to undermine Muslim control. He highlighted that non-Muslim members would serve in an advisory capacity only. He further dismissed comparisons with other religious endowment boards, emphasizing the statutory nature of Waqf boards.

Leader of the House J P Nadda accused the Congress of hypocrisy, citing the continued legality of Triple Talaq in India as evidence of their disregard for Muslim women’s rights.

Other opposition members raised concerns about various aspects of the bill, including the provision for non-Muslim members on Waqf boards, which they argued lacked precedent in other religious endowments. The opposition also highlighted the large proportion of Waqf properties that consist of graveyards, arguing that the bill’s focus on monetization is misplaced.

Despite the opposition’s strong objections, the bill ultimately passed, reflecting the narrower margin in the Rajya Sabha compared to the Lok Sabha’s vote. The passage of the bill concludes a contentious legislative process, leaving the future management of Waqf properties a subject of continued debate.

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