After Lok Sabha, the Rajya Sabha on Thursday passed the Waqf (Amendment) Bill, 2025. Union Minority Affairs Minister Kiren Rijiju tabled the bill in the Rajya Sabha and he clarified that the "inclusive" legislation aims to empower Muslim women and protect the rights of all Muslim sects.
Some of the opposition MPs in the Upper House were wearing black as a mark of protest against the bill. The Lok Sabha passed the bill with a 288-232 vote in the early hours of Thursday after over 13 hours of debate.
The term 'Waqf' means voluntary, permanent, irrevocable endowment made by a Muslim to a religious, charitable or educational cause under Islamic law. In India, law prohibits any other use or sale of the waqf property.
What Did Rijiju Say?
In the Rajya Sabha, Rijiju emphasised that the bill aims to usher in transparency, accountability and efficiency in the management of Waqf properties, asserting that only a Muslim can become a 'Waqif' and said the question of the majority of members on the Central Waqf Council being non-Muslims does not arise.
Tabling the bill in the Upper House, which was examined and redrafted by a Joint Parliamentary Committee (JPC), Rijiju said the proposed legislation has nothing to do with religion, but deals only with properties.
The minister informed the House that there were 4.9 lakh Waqf properties in 2004, which have now increased to 8.72 lakh.
Seeking the opposition's support to pass the bill, Rijiju said it aims to accomplish the unfulfilled tasks of the previous governments.
He also said Waqf owns the largest chunk of properties in the country, leaving aside those owned by Defence and Railways.
"It has been said here that Muslims will be harmed by the step we are taking. Many people said this is unconstitutional, illegal and the right of Muslims is being snatched away... Very categorically, I want to reject all these allegations," Rijiju said.
Meanwhile, Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman was angered after an MP said, “You come to Tamil Nadu, I’ll show you.” She termed the remark “atrocious” and condemned the language.
About The Bill
The objective of the Waqf (Amendment) Bill, 2025 is to redress the issues and challenges concerning regulation and managing of the Waqf properties. Defending the amendment move, the ministry of minority affairs said that the main purpose of the bill is to improve the administration and management of waqf properties in India.
Centre earlier said that the bill seeks bring improvement in the overall administration process of the Waqf properties by means of technology-driven management to ensure transparency.
Alongside introducing modern technology, Centre claimed that the bill also aims to rename the Act, update the definitions of waqf, improve the registration process.
According to the BJP government, among the major issues regarding Waqf Board in India are the lack of diversity in the constitution of the board, irrevocability of waqf properties, lack of judicial oversight, misuse of provisions among others.
What Are The Major Features Of The Bill?
The 2025 amendment bill aims to change the name of the Waqf Act, 1995 to the Unified Waqf Management, Empowerment, Efficiency, and Development Act, 1995.
According to the bill, trusts created by Muslims under any law will no longer be considered Waqf, ensuring full control over the trusts.
As per the amended bill, only Muslims, who are practising the religion for at least five years, only can dedicate their property to Waqf, restoring pre-2013 rules.
The bill also included a key change concerning the inclusion of Muslim women and non-Muslims in institutions such as Central Waqf Council, State Waqf Boards, and waqf tribunals. However, Union Home Minister Amit Shah on Wednesday mentioned in Lok Sabha that no non-Muslims will be included in the system.
Under this bill, the Centre will have the power to appoint three MPs - two from the Lok Sabha and one from Rajya Sabha, without them requiring to be Muslims.
The bill also allows the central government to make rules regarding registration, publication of accounts of waqf, and publication of proceedings of waqf boards.
Centre can also order an audit of the accounts of waqfs by the CAG or a designated officer.
The bill also proposes that an officer above the rank of collector will investigate government properties claimed as Waqf. In case of disputes, the senior government official will have the final say on whether a property belongs to Waqf or the government which currently is decided by Waqf tribunals.
