New Delhi: The Parliament on Friday passed the Waqf (Amendment) Bill, 2025, after intense discussion in both Houses. The Bill now awaits the President’s assent to become law.
As per details available with news agency JKNS, the Rajya Sabha passed the Bill early Friday morning with 128 members voting in favour and 95 against, following a lengthy debate led by Union Minister J.P. Nadda. The Lok Sabha had cleared the Bill a day earlier.
As per details available with JKNS state that the Bill proposes to empower district collectors to determine the rightful ownership of Waqf properties and excludes ASI-protected sites from Waqf claims. It also removes the existing restriction on challenging Waqf land claims in civil courts, a move the government says upholds constitutional rights.
According to JKNS, J.P. Nadda while lashing out at Congress as per news agency JKNS said that the amendments were examined by a 31-member Joint Parliamentary Committee under the Modi-led government, which conducted 36 meetings, consulted 284 stakeholders, and spent over 200 hours deliberating on the Bill. He said this reflected the government’s commitment to thorough consultation.
The government maintains that the Bill is aimed at improving transparency and curbing misuse of Waqf properties. However, opposition parties expressed concerns over its impact on minority rights and accused the government of ignoring their suggestions. (JKNS)
