The Waqf (Amendment) Bill, 2025, has officially become law after President Droupadi Murmu gave her approval on Saturday. This happened just days after both Houses of Parliament passed the Bill following long and heated debates.
The Rajya Sabha passed the Bill early Friday morning with 128 votes in favour and 95 against, after almost 12 hours of discussion. The Lok Sabha had already passed it earlier in the week.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi welcomed the new law, calling it a “watershed moment”. He said the waqf system had been lacking in transparency and accountability for a long time. “This legislation will boost transparency and safeguard people’s rights,” he posted on X.
The new law aims to improve how waqf properties are managed. It also promises to bring more openness in dealings and ensure that various Muslim groups are represented on waqf boards. Other goals include protecting heritage sites, supporting welfare programmes, and helping marginalised communities, such as Muslim widows and divorcees.
Minority Affairs Minister Kiren Rijiju, who introduced the Bill, said it would help millions of poor Muslims. He added that it would not interfere with waqf properties. “This legislation is based on extensive stakeholder consultation and incorporates recommendations from the Joint Parliamentary Committee,” he said. He also mentioned that the Central Waqf Council would have 22 members, with no more than four non-Muslims, to keep the council secular but still representative.
Opposition parties criticised the law, saying the government was trying to divide people. Congress MP Dr Syed Naseer Hussain said the Bill was misleading and meant to create communal tension. DMK’s Tiruchi Siva called it anti-secular and unconstitutional. TMC’s Mohammad Nadimul Haque said it went against basic rights, and AAP’s Sanjay Singh urged the government to withdraw it.
Union Home Minister Amit Shah disagreed, saying the opposition was spreading false information. BJP President JP Nadda said the Bill supports UMEED, Unified Waqf Management Empowerment, Efficiency and Development, a plan to modernise how waqf properties are managed.
Former Prime Minister and JD(S) chief HD Devegowda supported the Bill, saying powerful people had misused waqf properties for too long. BJP MP Radha Mohan Das said past governments had ignored poor Muslims, and the current government wanted to help them move forward.
However, Leader of the Opposition Mallikarjun Kharge still asked the government to withdraw the Bill, saying it may go against the Constitution. AIADMK’s Dr M. Thambidurai supported changes in the board’s makeup, and Minister Ramdas Athawale said the Bill includes all minority communities.
At the same time, Parliament also passed the Mussalman Wakf (Repeal) Bill, 2025. This law removes the old Mussalman Wakf Act of 1923, saying it is no longer useful today.
As the new law takes effect, debates continue. Supporters believe it will help poor and marginalised people, but critics worry it might give the government too much control and reduce the independence of minority communities.
Inputs from agencies
The Rajya Sabha passed the Bill early Friday morning with 128 votes in favour and 95 against, after almost 12 hours of discussion. The Lok Sabha had already passed it earlier in the week.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi welcomed the new law, calling it a “watershed moment”. He said the waqf system had been lacking in transparency and accountability for a long time. “This legislation will boost transparency and safeguard people’s rights,” he posted on X.
The new law aims to improve how waqf properties are managed. It also promises to bring more openness in dealings and ensure that various Muslim groups are represented on waqf boards. Other goals include protecting heritage sites, supporting welfare programmes, and helping marginalised communities, such as Muslim widows and divorcees.
Minority Affairs Minister Kiren Rijiju, who introduced the Bill, said it would help millions of poor Muslims. He added that it would not interfere with waqf properties. “This legislation is based on extensive stakeholder consultation and incorporates recommendations from the Joint Parliamentary Committee,” he said. He also mentioned that the Central Waqf Council would have 22 members, with no more than four non-Muslims, to keep the council secular but still representative.
Opposition parties criticised the law, saying the government was trying to divide people. Congress MP Dr Syed Naseer Hussain said the Bill was misleading and meant to create communal tension. DMK’s Tiruchi Siva called it anti-secular and unconstitutional. TMC’s Mohammad Nadimul Haque said it went against basic rights, and AAP’s Sanjay Singh urged the government to withdraw it.
Union Home Minister Amit Shah disagreed, saying the opposition was spreading false information. BJP President JP Nadda said the Bill supports UMEED, Unified Waqf Management Empowerment, Efficiency and Development, a plan to modernise how waqf properties are managed.
Former Prime Minister and JD(S) chief HD Devegowda supported the Bill, saying powerful people had misused waqf properties for too long. BJP MP Radha Mohan Das said past governments had ignored poor Muslims, and the current government wanted to help them move forward.
However, Leader of the Opposition Mallikarjun Kharge still asked the government to withdraw the Bill, saying it may go against the Constitution. AIADMK’s Dr M. Thambidurai supported changes in the board’s makeup, and Minister Ramdas Athawale said the Bill includes all minority communities.
At the same time, Parliament also passed the Mussalman Wakf (Repeal) Bill, 2025. This law removes the old Mussalman Wakf Act of 1923, saying it is no longer useful today.
As the new law takes effect, debates continue. Supporters believe it will help poor and marginalised people, but critics worry it might give the government too much control and reduce the independence of minority communities.
Inputs from agencies
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