GUWAHATI: The Lok Sabha passed the Waqf (Amendment) Bill after a 12-hour-long debate, with 288 members voting in favor and 232 against. The debate began at 12:00 PM on Wednesday, April 2, and concluded at 12:06 AM on Thursday, followed by voting from 12:07 AM to 1:56 AM. The bill will now proceed to the Rajya Sabha for further discussion before requiring presidential assent to become law.
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The debate, which extended past midnight, saw the ruling NDA defending the bill as a measure for better governance of Waqf properties, while the Opposition labeled it as an infringement on religious rights. Union Minorities Affairs Minister Kiren Rijiju stated that the bill is designed to help underprivileged Muslims by improving the management of Waqf properties. Meanwhile, Opposition leaders accused the government of targeting Muslim land rights under the pretext of reforms.
Sixty MPs participated in the discussion, including Home Minister Amit Shah, who denied that the bill interferes with religious affairs. The Opposition called for multiple divisions of votes, but all their amendments were rejected, with only one going to a formal vote. The final count on the bill’s passage was 288-231.
Key provisions of the bill include prohibiting tribal land, government properties, and protected monuments from being declared Waqf property. It also mandates that only a person practicing Islam for at least five years can donate property to Waqf. Additionally, Waqf Boards must include non-Muslim and female members, and disputes over property ownership will be settled by a senior official above the rank of Collector.
The bill’s passage has reinforced alliances within the ruling NDA, with critical allies such as JD(U), TDP, and LJP (Ramvilas) supporting it despite initial reservations. Meanwhile, the I.N.D.I.A. The opposition bloc presented a united front against the bill, with Congress leader Gaurav Gogoi accusing the government of attempting to take over land belonging to the minority community.
The bill will now be debated in the Rajya Sabha, where another round of extensive discussions is expected. If approved, it will be sent to the President for final assent.
