Parliament Clears Waqf Amendment Bill With Rajya Sabha Nod

Bill to streamline the management of Waqf properties, with provisions to safeguard heritage sites and promote social welfare, got Parliament's approval with the Rajya Sabha passing it late Thursday.

- STATESMAN NEWS SERVICE

Bill to streamline the management of Waqf properties, with provisions to safeguard heritage sites and promote social welfare, got Parliament's approval with the Rajya Sabha passing it late Thursday. The Waqf Amendment Bill 2025 was passed after an almost 12-hour-long debate.

The contentious Bill was passed by the Lok Sabha a day before after another marathon debate that ran well past midnight.

Along with the Waqf (Amendment) Bill, 2025, the Mussalman Wakf (Repeal) Bill, 2025 was passed in the House after an intense debate on the draft law.

Union Parliamentary Affairs and Minority Affairs Minister Kiren Rijiju moved the Waqf Amendment Bill and the Mussalman Wakf (Repeal) Bill in the House in the afternoon for consideration and passing.

Mr Rijiju said that the main purpose of the Bill is to improve the administration and management of Waqf properties in India.

Brushing aside the charges made by the Opposition, Mr Rijiju said: "The Bill is not against Muslims... We don't want to hurt anyone's religious sentiments. The Waqf board is set up only to oversee, and not manage, Waqf properties."