Parliament Passes Waqf Amendment Bill 2025: BJD MP Supports in Rajya Sabha | Key Takeaways

Parliament Passes Waqf Amendment Bill 2025: Parliament has passed the Waqf (Amendment) Bill, 2025, with the Rajya Sabha approving it in the wee hours today. The Upper House cleared the Bill with 128 members voting in favour of it while 95 members voted against the legislation. The Rajya Sabha held a discussion on the Bill for around 12 hours. The Lok Sabha has already approved the Bill.

The Waqf (Amendment) Bill 2025 aims to streamline the management of Waqf properties, with provisions to safeguard heritage sites and promote social welfare. The legislation also aims to improve governance by enhancing transparency in property management, streamlining coordination between Waqf Boards and local authorities and protecting stakeholders’ rights.

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The Bill also seeks to improve the economic and social status of Muslim women, particularly widows and divorced women. The Bill is intended to make the Waqf Board more inclusive, having representation from different Muslim sects for better Waqf governance and decision-making. The Waqf (Amendment) establishes a secular, transparent, and accountable system for Waqf administration.

Top 10 updates on Waqf (Amendment) Bill, 2025 debate

The marathon debate in Rajya Sabha saw several clashes between opposition members and treasury benches. After Congress member Syed Naseer Hussain's remarks slamming the government over the bill, Bharatiya Janata Party member Radha Mohan Das Agrawal targeted him, alleging that when he was elected to Rajya Sabha “Pakistan Zindabad” slogans were raised allegedly by his supporters in Karnataka.

Kiren Rijiju accused the opposition parties of trying to mislead people on the Waqf (Amendment) Bill and said it will benefit crores of people from the Muslim community. Rijiju added that several suggestions made by the Joint Parliamentary Committee had been incorporated into the revised bill.

Rijiju said there is no interference in the Waqf property by the government. He said once a property is declared a Waqf property, its status cannot be changed, and this has to be done by following the due process.

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Leader of Opposition in the Rajya Sabha Mallikarjun Kharge said the government was trying to sow the seeds of conflict by suppressing Muslims through the Waqf (Amendment) Bill and appealed to the ruling party not to disturb peace and harmony in the country. Kharge said the legislation is “unconstitutional” and is not good for the Indian Muslims. He urged the government to withdraw the bill which has a lot of "mistakes" and not make it a prestige issue.

Kharge alleged that the ruling dispensation wants to take away the land of Muslims and hand it over to its corporate friends.

Leader of the House in the Rajya Sabha JP Nadda accused the Congress of making Muslim women second-grade citizens during its rule at the Centre. Participating in a debate on the Waqf (Amendment) Bill, the BJP leader said the Narendra Modi government brought Muslim women into the mainstream by banning the practice of triple talaq.

Nationalist Congress Party (SCP) MP Fouzia Khan said they will continue to protest against the Waqf Amendment Bill 2025.

Muzibulla Khan of the Biju Janata Dal opposed the Bill, saying the entire Muslim community was worried about it. However, his party leader in Rajya Sabha Sasmit Patra said the party has allowed its members to vote on their conscience and has not issued any whip. Sasmit Patra said he extended his support to the Bill.

The proposed legislation -- which will be sent for President's sign-off next – aims to amend the 1995 law governing Waqf properties.

Grand Mufti of Jammu and Kashmir Mufti Nasir-ul-Islam has stated that the Waqf (Amendment) Bill 2025 is against Muslims. He also noted the support of 232 members who voted against the Waqf Bill and said they are exploring the possibility of approaching the Supreme Court.

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