Waqf (Amendment) Bill tabled in Lok Sabha amid opposition uproar

Parliamentary Affairs Minister Kiren Rijiju tabled the Waqf (Amendment) Bill 2025 in the Lok Sabha on Wednesday, triggering strong protests from the opposition.

Defending the Bill, Rijiju clarified, “The government is not interfering in any religious practice or institution…There is no provision in this to interfere in the management of any mosque. This is simply an issue of management of a property…Who are we to ask anything of any Muslim who gives Zakat…Mutawalis manage Waqf properties."

An eight-hour debate on the Bill is scheduled, with the possibility of extending it further.

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Amit Shah takes dig at opposition

During the discussion, Union Minister Amit Shah took a dig at the Congress, saying, “The Cabinet approved a Bill and introduced it in Parliament. It was sent to the Joint Parliamentary Committee, as the opposition wanted. The committee took a call on it, and its recommendations went to the Cabinet. Kiren Rijiju ji is bringing its recommendations to the House. Our committees use their brain, unlike committees in the Congress times that just gave their stamp of approval."

However, RSP MP NK Premachandran from Kerala questioned the legitimacy of the committee’s amendments to the Bill. In response, Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla said, "The committee has full authority to make amendments. It can even change a Bill’s name or add new provisions. Many committees in the past have done this."

The Opposition accused the government of rushing the Bill through Parliament without giving them enough time to propose changes.

Calling it a "historic moment," Rijiju said the amendments to the 1995 Waqf Act would benefit the entire country, particularly Muslims, women, and children.

Speaking to the media before the session, he stated, " I want to make it very clear that this bill, introduced in the national interest, will be supported not only by millions of Muslims but by the entire country. We are committed to any initiative that benefits the nation, especially for the welfare of poor Muslims, women, and children. Those opposing the bill are doing so for political reasons. I will present the rest of my arguments in the House."

What key changes does Waqf Bill propose?

The Waqf Amendment Bill aims to streamline the management of Waqf properties and improve the functioning of the Waqf Board. Some key provisions include:

- Allowing a non-Muslim to become the CEO of the Waqf Board.
- Requiring at least two non-Muslim members on state Waqf boards.
- Giving district collectors the authority to decide if a disputed property belongs to Waqf or the government.
- Ending the concept of "Waqf by user," which allowed land to be declared Waqf based on long-term religious use.
- Mandating that all Waqf properties be registered in a central database within six months of the law’s enactment.
- Removing the finality of tribunal decisions, allowing further legal challenges.

The bill was first introduced in Parliament last year, leading to a major uproar. It was then sent to a Joint Parliamentary Committee led by BJP MP Jagadambika Pal for review. The panel submitted its report on February 13, which the Cabinet approved on February 19.

However, Opposition MPs in the committee claimed their proposed amendments were rejected, and their dissent notes were removed from the final report without their knowledge. The committee reportedly accepted 14 amendments proposed by NDA MPs but rejected all 44 suggestions from the Opposition.

(With inputs from agencies)