Govt Did Not Accept Single Amendment Of Oppn

By Fnf Correspondent | PUBLISHED: 02, Apr 2025, 16:17 pm IST | UPDATED: 02, Apr 2025, 16:17 pm IST

Parliamentary Affairs Minister Kiren Rijiju on Wednesday tabled the Waqf (Amendment) Bill in the Lok Sabha amid sloganeering from the Opposition. An eight-hour discussion on the bill, subject to an increase, is scheduled. The opposition claimed that the Centre is "bulldozing the legislation" as it alleged to not have been given the time for amendments since the bill was brought to the notice of the House.

Following the introduction of the Waqf Amendment Bill in Lok Sabha, Rijiju said, "I want to say that the discussion that has taken place on the Waqf Amendment Bill in the Joint Committee of both the Houses has never been done in the parliamentary history of India till date. I thank and congratulate all the members of the Joint Committee... To date, a total of 284 delegations from the stakeholders of different communities have presented their views and suggestions before the committee. Waqf bo

The Waqf Amendment Bill is designed to amend the Waqf Act of 1995 to address existing challenges and improve the management of Waqf properties in India. The Bill aims to streamline the Waqf Board’s functions, ensuring the efficient administration of these properties.

The Union government first announced the introduction of the Waqf (Amendment) Bill 2025 on Tuesday, revealing that the Bill would be tabled in the Lok Sabha shortly after the Question Hour. The Bill will be followed by a detailed debate lasting up to eight hours.

This Bill builds on the 2024 Waqf (Amendment) Bill and the Mussalman Waqf (Repeal) Bill, which were introduced with similar objectives to improve the functioning of the Waqf Board and address ongoing management issues. The government is hopeful that the amendments in legislation will pass with wide support across the political spectrum.

ards of 25 state governments and union territories have also presented their submissions.

Earlier in the day, Rijiju called Wednesday a "historic day" as the Waqf Amendment Bill 2025 was set to be introduced in the Lok Sabha. Rijiju emphasized that the Bill, which aims to amend the Waqf Act of 1995, is in the national interest and will benefit the entire country, especially Muslims, women, and children.

Peoples Conference President and MLA from Handwara Sajad Lone has voiced strong opposition to the proposed amendment to Waqf laws, terming it an attack on the religious rights of Muslims. Taking to X, Lone remarked, "Waqf by definition is the custodian of properties which are collectively owned by Muslims. It is an Islamic concept." He said the move by Parliament amounts to a direct assault on the religious autonomy of Muslims. "The proposed amendment by Parliament is a blatant interference in our faith aimed at divesting rightful custodians of their authority," he asserted, calling it "yet another right-wing trespass.