Parliament Passes Waqf (Amendment) Bill, 2025 Amid Intense Debate and Opposition [READ BILL]

On April 4, 2025, India’s Parliament passed the contentious Waqf (Amendment) Bill, 2025, marking a significant legislative milestone after days of heated debates and fierce opposition. The bill, aimed at reforming the management of Waqf properties across the country, cleared both houses of Parliament—the Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha—following marathon discussions that highlighted deep political divisions. With 288 votes in favor and 232 against in the Lok Sabha, and 128 votes in favor and 95 against in the Rajya Sabha, the bill’s passage has sparked widespread reactions, from government praise to opposition accusations of constitutional overreach.

This article delves into the details of the Waqf (Amendment) Bill, 2025, its key provisions, the intense parliamentary debates, the opposition’s stance, and the potential implications for India’s Muslim community and beyond. Optimized for SEO and SERP, this comprehensive guide provides everything you need to know about this landmark legislation.

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What is the Waqf (Amendment) Bill, 2025?

The Waqf (Amendment) Bill, 2025, seeks to overhaul the Waqf Act of 1995, which governs the administration of Waqf properties—lands and assets donated by Muslims for religious, charitable, or community purposes. Valued at billions of dollars and spanning over 6 lakh acres, these properties are managed by Waqf Boards across India’s states and union territories. The government, led by the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), introduced the bill to address long-standing issues of mismanagement, corruption, and legal ambiguities in the Waqf system.

Key objectives of the bill, as outlined by Union Minority Affairs Minister Kiren Rijiju, include enhancing transparency, integrating technology-driven management, and ensuring efficient dispute resolution. The legislation was renamed the Unified Waqf Management, Empowerment, Efficiency, and Development (UMEED) Act, 1995, reflecting its broader reformative intent.

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Key Provisions of the Waqf (Amendment) Bill, 2025

The bill introduces several significant changes to the existing Waqf framework. Here are the standout provisions:

1. Inclusion of Non-Muslims in Waqf Boards:
   • For the first time, non-Muslims will be included in state Waqf Boards and the Central Waqf Council, limited to four out of 22 members. The government argues this promotes secular administration, while critics see it as an encroachment on religious autonomy.
2. Stricter Property Validation:
   • Waqf Boards must now provide valid documentation to claim properties, reversing the historical practice of recognizing properties based on long-term use or oral declarations. This could impact undocumented mosques, shrines, and graveyards.
3. Technology-Driven Management:
   • The bill establishes a centralized portal for Waqf property management to boost transparency and accountability.
4. Audit and Financial Reforms:
   • Institutions earning over ₹1 lakh annually will face mandatory audits by state-appointed auditors. The mandatory contribution of Waqf institutions to boards is reduced from 7% to 5%.
5. Protection of Women’s Rights:
   • The legislation ensures women receive their inheritance before properties are declared Waqf, with specific safeguards for widows, divorced women, and orphans.
6. Dispute Resolution:
   • Waqf Tribunals will be strengthened with a structured selection process and fixed tenure, though their composition will see reduced representation of Islamic law experts.

These reforms, according to Home Minister Amit Shah, aim to modernize Waqf administration without interfering in religious practices—a claim sharply contested by the opposition.

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The Parliamentary Debate: A Clash of Ideologies

The passage of the Waqf (Amendment) Bill, 2025, was anything but smooth. The Lok Sabha debate, spanning over 12 hours on April 2, concluded past midnight with a division of votes. The Rajya Sabha followed suit on April 3, with a 14-hour marathon session ending early on April 4. The debates were marked by fiery exchanges, symbolic protests, and a united opposition front.

Government’s Defense

• Kiren Rijiju: Introducing the bill, Rijiju emphasized that it is not anti-Muslim, stating, “We don’t want to hurt anyone’s religious feelings.” He accused the opposition of fear-mongering and highlighted the bill’s intent to uplift the Muslim community, which he claimed had been neglected under decades of Congress rule.
• Amit Shah: The Home Minister assured Muslims that the bill does not target their religious practices, dismissing opposition claims as “vote bank politics.” He argued that even Muslim-majority countries like Iraq have reformed their Waqf laws.
• JP Nadda: Leading the Rajya Sabha debate, the BJP president called the bill a “historic reform” in the nation’s interest, accusing the opposition of derailing discussions.

Opposition’s Resistance

• Mallikarjun Kharge: The Congress leader and Leader of Opposition in the Rajya Sabha labeled the bill a “negative stand” by the Modi government, warning it could “spark nationwide disputes” and undermine minority rights.
• Asaduddin Owaisi: The AIMIM chief staged a dramatic protest by tearing a copy of the bill in the Lok Sabha, invoking Mahatma Gandhi. He called it “unconstitutional” and accused the BJP of sowing discord between temples and mosques.
• Congress and INDIA Bloc: Parties like the TMC, DMK, AAP, and Samajwadi Party rallied against the bill, alleging it violates Articles 14 (equality before law), 15 (prohibition of discrimination), and 25-26 (religious freedom) of the Constitution. Congress MP Mohammed Jawed challenged the bill in the Supreme Court hours after its passage, arguing it imposes “arbitrary restrictions” on Waqf management.

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