Lok Sabha Passes Waqf Amendment Bill 2025 With 288 Votes In Support And 232 Against It
The Waqf (Amendment) Bill, 2025 was passed after more than 12 hours of debate in the upper house.
The Lok Sabha has passed the Waqf (Amendment) Bill, 2025. The voting began at around 12.15 am on Thursday after the Bill was debated from Wednesday 1.30 pm onwards. The result of the voting was announced at 1.55 am.
288 Members of the Lok Sabha voted in favour of the Bill while 232 MPs voted against the Bill.
Concluding his speech before the Bill was put to vote, Union Minority Affairs Minister Kiren Rijiju said that the word 'secular' is being misused and that India is secular, as opposed to Pakistan and Bangladesh, because the majority in India is secular and that this fact should be acknowledged. He also dismissed the charge that the attempt of the government is to divide Muslims of the Country and said that the Bill unites all sects among the Muslim community.
Rijiju also highlighted that the Christian community has endorsed the Bill and that theirs is a well considered decision. He said that India is the safest nation for minority communities. He dismissed the allegation that non-Muslims will be involved in managing Waqf properties.
Tabled in Lok Sabha at around 1.30 pm on Wednesday by Kiren Rijiju, the Waqf (Amendment) Bill, 2025 seeks to amend the Waqf Act of 1995, with the stated goal of improving the administration and management of Waqf properties across India.
While addressing the media, the Union Minister said, "Today is a historic day and today the Waqf Amendment Bill will be introduced in the Lok Sabha and this bill is being introduced in the interest of the country. Not only crores of Muslims but the whole country will support it. Those who are opposing it are doing so for political reasons. I will present the facts in the House. And I also want that if someone opposes, they should oppose on the basis of logic and we will also answer them."
Kiren Rijiju said, “In 2013, right before Lok Sabha elections in 2014, there were some steps taken which will raise questions in your mind. In 2013, the act was changed to allow Sikhs, Hindus, Parsis and others to create Waqf. Everyone knows Waqf is for Muslims to create Waqf in the name of Allah. This change was made by Congress in 2013. Congress made the boards specifics, only Shias in Shia boards...A section was added that Waqf will have an overriding effect over every other law. How can this section be acceptable?”
“The provisions of the Waqf Board have nothing to do with the management of any mosque, temple, or religious site. It is simply a matter of property management. However, Waqf properties are managed by the Waqf Board and the Mutawalli. If someone fails to understand this basic distinction or deliberately chooses not to, then I have no solution for that,” he remarked.
Minister of Home Affairs, Amit Shah slammed those opposing the Bill and stated, “You guys will break the nation with your myths. This bill is to curb corruption going on in waqf board. If the amendments was brought in 2013, I can say you would not need to bring the bill.”
“I stand in support of the Bill introduced by my ministerial colleague. I have been carefully hearing the discussion going on since 12 noon…I feel that there are several misconceptions among several Members, either genuinely or politically. Also, through this House, attempts are being made to spread those misconceptions across the country,” the Union Home Minister added.
Shah also remarked that "the Waqf bill is interference in Muslims' religious matters and properties donated by them, is fear-mongering for vote-bank,"
The Bill, formulated based on recommendations from a Joint Parliamentary Committee (JPC), aims to enhance the administration of Waqf properties, integrate technology-driven management, simplify legal complexities, and promote transparency.
What is a Waqf?
A Waqf refers to properties dedicated for religious or charitable purposes under Islamic law. It typically involves donating a building, plot of land or other assets for Muslim religious or charitable purposes with no intention of reclaiming the assets.
The Mussalman Waqf Act 1923 was established for the purpose of advising it on matters pertaining to the working of the State Waqf Boards and proper administration of the Waqfs in the country.
Currently, the creation and management of waqf in India is governed by the Waqf Act, 1995. This Act was preceded by legislations passed in 1913, 1923 and 1954. States such as Uttar Pradesh and Bengal had passed separate laws governing waqf. However, these were repealed by the 1995 Act.
Key Objectives & Features:
A pivotal change that the Bill proposes to make involves the application of the Limitation Act, 1963 rom the commencement of the Amendment Act aiming to bring resolution of disputes that have often been protracted. The Bill further proposes to redefine the authority responsible for handling disputes related to encroachments on government lands by Waqf properties, shifting this responsibility to a higher state government-designated authority, as per the Joint Parliamentary Committee's (JPC) recommendations.
A new Clause 40A is proposed as given:
“40A. Section 107, of the principal Act be substituted, namely: —
“On and from the commencement of the Waqf (Amendment) Act, 2025 The Limitation Act, 1963 (36 of 1963) shall apply to any proceedings in relation to any claim or interest touching upon immovable property comprised in a waqf.”
Recently, numerous cases have come to the notice of the Committee concerning the declaration of Waqf lands in tribal areas falling under Schedule V and Schedule VI of the Indian Constitution Waqf in these areas is creating a serious threat to the existence of these cultural minorities whose religious practices are distinct and do not follow religious practices prescribed under Islam. The increase in the quantum of land acquired by the Waqf Board and the number of litigations underscore the urgent need to address this serious concern. In this regard, the Committee stated that the Scheduled tribes being one of the most marginalized and vulnerable sections of the society , the protection envisioned by the founding fathers of the Indian Constitution should be upheld at all costs.
"Taking cognizance of the issue discussed above, the Committee are of the view that the protection accorded to Scheduled Tribes and Tribal lands under Schedule Fifth and Sixth of the Constitution must be upheld and any threat, perceived or real, needs to be addressed. The Committee, therefore, recommend that the Ministry should take appropriate legislative measures to forestall declaration of tribal lands as ‘waqf’ land in order to ensure protection of Scheduled areas and tribal areas," the recommendation read.
The Committee was also informed by the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways that Government property as proposed under Section 3(fb) in the Waqf (Amendment) Bill should also include land acquired as defined under Section 3D (2) of the National Highways Act, 1956.
