Waqf Bill 2025 clears Parliament with BJD support in Rajya Sabha
Parliament approved the Waqf (Amendment) Bill, 2025 after a fiery 12-hour debate. The Rajya Sabha cleared it early Friday with 128 votes in favour and 95 against. The Lok Sabha had passed the bill a day earlier with 288-232 votes.
Rajya Sabha Chairman Jagdeep Dhankhar confirmed the result: “Ayes 128 and Noes 95. The Bill is passed.”
Soon after, the House also passed the Mussalman Wakf (Repeal) Bill, 2024. The Rajya Sabha sat for a rare 17-hour session and adjourned at 4am.
Union Minority Affairs Minister Kiren Rijiju led the charge. He said the government had made the Waqf system more efficient. He highlighted stronger tribunals, a structured selection process, and fixed tenures to speed up dispute resolution.
Tensions flared during the session. Congress MP Syed Naseer Hussain slammed the bill. In response, BJP’s Radha Mohan Das Agrawal accused him of links to pro-Pakistan slogans during his election win.
Rijiju defended the bill. He said it protects Muslim community interests. He also accused the opposition of spreading false narratives. According to him, the bill follows suggestions made by the Joint Parliamentary Committee.
He clarified a key point: once a property becomes Waqf, the government cannot change its status without due process.
However, Opposition Leader Mallikarjun Kharge strongly disagreed. He claimed the bill was “unconstitutional” and threatened peace. He urged the government to withdraw the legislation, calling it unfair to Indian Muslims.
Kharge alleged that the government wanted to grab Muslim land for corporate allies.
BJP’s JP Nadda countered that claim. He accused Congress of oppressing Muslim women during its rule. Nadda said the BJP had ended the triple talaq practice and empowered Muslim women.
Outside the NDA and Congress, opinions varied. NCP (SCP) MP Fouzia Khan opposed the bill and pledged continued protest.
BJD MP Muzibulla Khan also voiced concern. He said the Muslim community feared the bill. But his colleague, Sasmit Patra, supported it. Patra said the BJD allowed MPs to vote with their conscience and did not issue a whip.
Meanwhile, Grand Mufti of Jammu and Kashmir, Mufti Nasir-ul-Islam, denounced the bill. He hinted at a legal challenge in the Supreme Court. He appreciated the 232 MPs who voted against it.
The bill now awaits the President’s approval.
What the Bill Proposes
The amended bill updates the 1995 law on Waqf properties. It proposes several key changes.
First, it reduces mandatory contributions from Waqf institutions to Waqf Boards from 7% to 5%. Institutions earning over ₹1 lakh must now undergo audits by state-appointed auditors.
Second, it introduces a centralized portal to manage Waqf properties. This move aims to increase transparency and efficiency.
Third, it restores the pre-2013 rule allowing practising Muslims (for at least five years) to dedicate property to Waqf.
Fourth, it ensures women get their legal inheritance before a Waqf declaration. It adds safeguards for widows, divorced women, and orphans.
Lastly, it proposes an inquiry by a senior officer for any government property claimed as Waqf. It also opens Waqf boards to non-Muslim members for greater inclusivity.
