The Waqf (Amendment) Bill, 2025, will be laid before Parliament on Wednesday (April 2, 2025)
Kiren Rijiju, the Union Minister for Minorities and Parliamentary Affairs, informed reporters that the Lok Sabha's Business Advisory Committee (BAC) agreed on an eight-hour debate.
The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), which supports the bill, is confident of receiving the backing of key allies, including the Janata Dal (United), the Lok Janshakti Party (Ram Vilas), and the Telugu Desam Party (TDP), whose support is crucial.
On the other hand, the INDIA bloc parties are opposing the Bill aimed at reforming the Waqf administration.
The bill is encountering resistance owing to several modifications, including the integration of non-Muslim members into the Waqf Board and Central Waqf Council, and the enhancement of district collectors' powers.
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| Union Home Minister Amit Shah addresses the Lok Sabha during the Budget session of Parliament, in New Delhi, on April 2, 2025. | Photo Credit: PTI The Home Minister also made accusations against the Opposition, alleging “fear-mongering” for the sake of “vote bank” politics. The debate, which began on Wednesday afternoon, continued past midnight, ultimately resulting in a division of votes. The introduction of the revised Waqf (Amendment) Bill, the Unified Waqf Management Empowerment, Efficiency and Development Bill (UMEED), by Minority Affairs Minister Kiren Rijiju, set the stage for a fierce exchange between the Treasury and Opposition benches. |
