After a long 12-hour session, the Lok Sabha wrapped up at 2:40 am on Thursday after passing the Waqf (Amendment) Bill, 2025, and approving President’s Rule in Manipur. With only two days left in the Budget Session, all eyes are now on the Rajya Sabha, where the bill will be discussed and voted on next.  

The Waqf (Amendment) Bill, 2025, was passed after an intense 12-hour debate, with 288 MPs voting in favor and 232 against. As the session was nearing its end, the government suddenly introduced a resolution for President’s Rule in Manipur at 2 am, catching the Opposition by surprise. Union Home Minister Amit Shah presented the resolution, prompting Congress MP Shashi Tharoor to question the timing, asking, “Sir, do you genuinely want the discussion at this time?” Despite the opposition's surprise, the resolution was ratified in just over 30 minutes, significantly shorter than the one-hour discussion agreed upon earlier.

The passage of the Waqf Bill saw sharp exchanges between the ruling NDA and the opposition. Union Minorities Affairs Minister Kiren Rijiju defended the legislation, stating that minorities in India are safer than anywhere else in the world and that the bill aims to unify all minority communities. "Some members have said that minorities are not safe in India. This statement is completely false. There is no place safer than India for minorities. I am also a minority and we all are living here without any fear and with pride," he said after the debate on the Bill.

The minister emphasised that the bill would expedite dispute resolution in Waqf tribunals and ensure justice for widows, divorcees, and orphans. He also highlighted strong support from the Christian community for the bill.

Home Minister Amit Shah argued that previous amendments to the Waqf Act in 2013 were made for “appeasement” ahead of the 2014 elections. He accused the opposition of using fear-mongering tactics among minorities and reiterated that the Modi government does not make laws for vote banks but for justice and public welfare. He clarified that the inclusion of non-Muslims in Waqf boards was solely for administrative efficiency.

Waqf (Amendment) Bill tabled in Lok Sabha amid opposition uproar

Congress MP Gaurav Gogoi called the bill an attack on the Constitution’s basic structure, alleging that it aims to dilute constitutional principles, defame minority communities, and disenfranchise them. Samajwadi Party chief Akhilesh Yadav accused the BJP of using the bill for political polarisation after setbacks in the 2024 elections, warning that it could damage India’s secular image internationally. AIMIM chief Asaduddin Owaisi protested by tearing a copy of the bill in the House, while Rahul Gandhi, in a post on X, called the legislation a “weapon” to marginalise Muslims and undermine their property rights.

Waqf Amendment Bill: BJP, INDIA bloc to lock horns as bill set to be tabled in Lok Sabha today

The Waqf (Amendment) Bill, 2025, makes several important changes:  

- Waqf tribunals will have a proper selection process and fixed working terms.  
- Waqf institutions will now give 5 per cent of their earnings to Waqf boards instead of 7 per cent 
- Institutions earning more than Rs 1 lakh must be audited to keep finances transparent.  
- A central online system will be set up to manage Waqf properties automatically.  
- The bill brings back old rules (before 2013), allowing Muslims (practising for at least five years) to donate property to Waqf.  
- Women must get their inheritance before a property is given to Waqf, with special rules for widows, divorcees, and orphans.  
- A senior officer (above collector level) will check government land claimed as Waqf.  
- Non-Muslims will now be part of central and state Waqf boards for better representation.  

The bill will now be discussed in the Rajya Sabha before becoming law with the president’s approval.

(With inputs from agencies)