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 cleared the Lok Sabha, aims to increase transparency in the administration of Waqf properties.
The government insists the legislation is not discriminatory against Muslims, but the opposition strongly contested this, alleging it marginalizes the Muslim community and questions the bill’s “intent and content.” The Rajya Sabha vote was significantly closer than the Lok Sabha vote, which passed with a 56-vote margin. Several opposition MPs wore black armbands in protest.
Union Minister for Minority Affairs Kiren Rijiju defended the bill, emphasizing that the inclusion of non-Muslim members in Waqf boards is for administrative transparency, not to dictate religious matters. He highlighted the secular nature of statutory bodies like Waqf boards, differentiating them from religious endowments. He also addressed opposition concerns about the precedent this sets, reiterating that non-Muslim members would only be a minority and lack decision-making power.
However, opposition members vehemently criticized the bill. Congress MP Syed Naseer Hussain called it “targeted legislation,” accusing the ruling party of using it for communal polarization and to consolidate its vote bank. He questioned the inclusion of non-Muslims in Waqf boards, posing the rhetorical question: “Will you allow me to be part of a Hindu temple trust?”
Leader of the House J P Nadda countered, accusing the Congress of reducing Muslim women to “second-grade citizens” due to the continued legality of triple talaq in India. He cited reforms in other Muslim-majority countries as a comparison.
Other opposition MPs raised concerns about the bill’s implications for minority rights and questioned the provision for non-Muslim members on Waqf boards, drawing parallels to objections against similar inclusions in other religious bodies. The opposition also highlighted the significant portion of Waqf properties that are graveyards, arguing that the bill’s focus on monetization is misplaced.
The debate was punctuated by sharp exchanges and protests, with several BJP MPs reacting strongly to Aam Aadmi Party MP Sanjay Singh’s comments about alleged scams in temple properties. The bill’s passage marks a significant development in the ongoing debate over religious governance and minority rights in India.
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