Rajya Sabha passes Waqf (Amendment) Bill 2025 with 128–95 votes
Once President's assent is obtained the new law will ensure that a centralised portal will automate Waqf property management, improving efficiency and transparency.
The new law will aim to overcome the shortcomings of the previous act and enhance the efficiency of Waqf boards, improving the registration process and increasing the role of technology in managing Waqf records.
The Bill proposes that practising Muslims (for at least five years) can dedicate their property to the Waqf, restoring pre-2013 rules.
The Waqf (Amendment) Bill, 2025, was passed in the Rajya Sabha with 128–95 votes after a heated debate, following its approval in the Lok Sabha with 288-232 votes.
The Waqf (Amendment) Bill, 2025 was passed in the Rajya Sabha on Friday after an over 12-hour-long marathon debate on the legislation. In total, 128 votes were cast in favour of the bill and 95 votes against the bill.
The bill will now be forwarded to President Droupadi Murmu for her assent. After that, it will become an Act.
Earlier, the Lok Sabha on Thursday approved the Bill after over a 12-hour debate. In the lower house, the bill was supported by 288 MPs while 232 voted against it.
Minority Affairs Minister Kiren Rijiju said the Bill was brought with a number of amendments based on suggestions given by various stakeholders.
"The Waqf Board is a statutory body. All government bodies should be secular," the minister said, explaining the inclusion of non-Muslims on the board.
He, however, said the number of non-Muslims has been restricted to only four out of 22. Rijiju also alleged that the Congress and other opposition parties, and not the BJP, were trying to scare Muslims with the Waqf Bill.
"You (opposition) are pushing Muslims out of the mainstream," he added. He said for 60 years, the Congress and others ruled the country, but did not do much for Muslims and the community continues to live in poverty.
"Muslims are poor, who is responsible? You (Congress) are. Modi is now leading the government to uplift them," the minister said.
According to the Waqf (Amendment) Bill, Waqf tribunals will be strengthened, a structured selection process will be maintained, and a tenure will be fixed to ensure efficient dispute resolution. As per the Bill, while Waqf institutions' mandatory contribution to Waqf boards is reduced from 7 per cent to 5 per cent,
Waqf institutions earning over Rs 1 lakh will undergo audits by state-sponsored auditors.
It stipulates that women must receive their inheritance before the Waqf declaration, with special provisions for widows, divorced women and orphans.
The Bill proposes that an officer above the rank of collector investigate government properties claimed as Waqf. It also proposes that non-Muslim members be included in the central and state Waqf boards for inclusivity.
.jpg) |
| President Murmu |
The government had introduced the revised Waqf (Amendment) bill 2025 in the ongoing budget session after incorporating the recommendations of the Joint Parliamentary Committee (JPC).
The committee examined the legislation introduced in August last year and gave its recommendations. The bill seeks to amend the Act of 1995 and improve the administration and management of waqf properties in India.
No comments:
Post a Comment