The Lok Sabha is holding discussion on the Waqf (Amendment) Bill, 2025 as reported by the Joint Parliamentary Committee. Union Minority Affairs Minister Kiren Rijiju moved the bill, saying that it has nothing to do with the religious practice of Muslims and it only deals with the properties related to Waqf Boards. He said the government wants to make the Waqf Boards inclusive and secular. He also added that the legislation is not intended for the management ofthe Masjid. The Minister termed this legislation a prospective saying that it is not retrospective and not intended to confiscate anyone’s property.The Minister said, as per the present bill, the Waqf Boards will have representations of different Muslim sects, women and non-Muslims and others. He accused the opposition of misleading people over the Bill. He said that in the present Act, some provisions were misused to declare any land as Waqf property in the country. He said that during UPA rule in 2013, the amendments were made in the Waqf Act which had an overriding effect on other laws. He said, a total of 123 properties in the national capital were transferred to Delhi Waqf Board during Congress rule. He added that the Joint Parliamentary Committee as well as the government had a wider consultation with the stakeholders while framing the legislation. He questioned that if India has the highest Waqf properties in the world, then why are Indian Muslims still poor? The Minority Affairs Minister also moved the Mussalman Wakf (Repeal) Bill, 2024.Responding to opposition, Union Home Minister Amit Shah said, the bill has been brought after detailed deliberations by the Joint Parliament Committee as approved by the Cabinet.Initiating the discussion, Gaurav Gogoi of Congress accused the government of misleading the people on this bill. He said, this bill is against the constitution. He alleged that through this bill the government wants to dilute the constitution, defame minorities and divide Indian society. He also rejected Mr. Rijiju allegations that a total of 123 properties in Delhi were transferred to Delhi Waqf Board during Congress rule. The Congress leader said the amendments in the current Act will create more problems.Akhilesh Yadav of Samajwadi Party alleged that this Bill has been brought by the government to hide its failure related to price rise, unemployment, demonetisation and other issues. He questioned the government over the incident of stampede during Mahakumbh in Prayagraj and number of deaths in the incident. Mr. Yadav alleged that the intention behind this bill is not good and it has been brought by the BJP to control its vote. He said the legislation will hit the secular image of the country.TMC MP Kalyan Banerjee termed the proposed legislation as misconceived, irrational and arbitrary. He alleged that it is an attempt to curtail the rights of Muslim community. Mr Banerjee said, discharging of religious duties cannot be the basis of any legislation.Participating in the discussion, Ravi Shankar Prasad of BJP said this country belongs to the Muslim community as much as it to the Hindus, there is no doubt in it. He accused the Opposition of selective quoting of the Constitution during the debate. Mr Prasad urged the opposition to quote the law in its entirety, emphasising that the Constitution itself supports the government’s actions to protect Waqf properties and uplift marginalised communities. Mr Prasad said the bill proposes mandatory inclusion of women in Waqf boards, aiming to enhance transparency and gender justice in waqf property management.The discussion is underway.
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