The Lok Sabha has passed the Waqf (Amendment) Bill, 2025 with 288 votes in favor and 232 against, along with the Mussalman Wakf (Repeal) Bill, 2024, which repeals the Mussalman Wakf Act of 1923.
Union Minority Affairs Minister Kiren Rijiju introduced the bill, clarifying that it focuses on Waqf property management, not religious practices. He emphasized that the bill aims to make Waqf Boards more inclusive and transparent.
Opposition parties, including Congress’ Gaurav Gogoi, Samajwadi Party’s Akhilesh Yadav, TMC’s Kalyan Banerjee, and AIMIM’s Asaduddin Owaisi, strongly criticized the bill, calling it anti-Muslim and unconstitutional. Owaisi accused the government of using the bill to control Waqf properties and undermine Muslim autonomy.
Union Home Minister Amit Shah defended the bill, stating it would not interfere with religious practices and aimed to enhance transparency in Waqf management. BJP leader Ravi Shankar Prasad also supported the bill, highlighting provisions to include women in Waqf Boards.
The bill now awaits approval in the Rajya Sabha
 Bill, 2025){kind=link}