Union home minister Amit Shah stirred a debate in the Lok Sabha on Wednesday by recalling Lalu Prasad Yadav’s 2013 speech on the Waqf (Amendment) Bill. Shah claimed that Prime Minister Narendra Modi is now implementing the stricter laws that Lalu had once demanded.
Lalu Prasad’s 2013 Speech Resurfaces
Participating in the discussion on the Waqf (Amendment) Bill, 2025, Amit Shah criticized the Congress-led UPA II government for passing amendments in 2013, which he said led to unnecessary complications.
Shah quoted Lalu Prasad’s 2013 speech, in which the RJD leader had demanded strict laws against illegal land dealings involving Waqf properties. “Most of the land has been grabbed, be it government-owned or otherwise. The Waqf Board has sold prime land. We support amendments but need a stricter law in the future,” Lalu had said.
Modi Government Delivering on Lalu’s Demands, Says Shah
Taking a dig at the Opposition, Shah said, “Lalu Prasad’s wishes were not fulfilled by them, but Narendra Modi is doing it now.” He accused the Opposition of failing to act on Waqf land misuse when they had the chance.
Opposition Accused of Fear-Mongering
Amit Shah also slammed the Opposition for allegedly spreading misinformation about the bill. He clarified that “No non-Muslim will be part of Waqf management. There is no provision to interfere in religious practices or donated properties.”
VIDEO | Waqf (Amendment) Bill: Speaking in Lok Sabha, Union Home Minister Amit Shah (@AmitShah) says, “No non-Islamic member will be a part of Waqf. There is neither any provision for the appointment of a non-Muslim to manage the religious institution, nor do we intend to… pic.twitter.com/4GdaDvy9fP
— Press Trust of India (@PTI_News) April 2, 2025
He further accused the Opposition of “intimidating minorities” by spreading false narratives about the bill’s impact.
A Divisive Debate in Lok Sabha
The Waqf (Amendment) Bill, 2025, has sparked heated exchanges in Parliament. While the BJP calls it a step toward transparency and accountability, critics, including Samajwadi Party chief Akhilesh Yadav, argue that the bill serves a divisive political agenda.
With the debate intensifying, the Modi government remains firm on its stance that the amendments align with past demands for stricter regulations on Waqf land management.
