Rajya Sabha Clears Waqf Bill Amid Strong Opposition Protests

In a late-night session, Parliament passed the Waqf (Amendment) Bill, 2025. The Rajya Sabha approved it after a 13-hour discussion. Earlier, the Lok Sabha had already cleared it. 128 Rajya Sabha members voted in favour, while 95 opposed it. In the Lok Sabha, 288 voted for the Bill and 232 against.

Opposition Slams Bill as Anti-Muslim

Opposition parties strongly opposed the Bill. They labelled it “anti-Muslim” and “unconstitutional.” They argued that the Bill aims to seize Muslim-owned properties and hand them over to corporate groups. Congress, TMC, DMK, AAP, Shiv Sena (UBT), Samajwadi Party, RJD, and Left leaders called for the Bill’s withdrawal, questioning the government’s intent.

Government Calls It a Historic Reform

Union Minority Affairs Minister Kiren Rijiju defended the Bill. He said the Waqf Board is a statutory body that should stay secular. “Adding a few non-Muslims to the board will not change its decisions but will add value,” he said. Rijiju noted that the government accepted many suggestions from the Joint Parliamentary Committee and various stakeholders. He also accused the opposition of misleading Muslims. He stated, “The government works with the aim of ‘Sabka Saath, Sabka Vikas’.”

Nadda Criticises Congress Over Women’s Rights

BJP leader and Leader of the House J P Nadda supported the Bill. He blamed the Congress for neglecting Muslim women. “You made Indian Muslim women second-class citizens,” Nadda said. He pointed out that countries like Egypt, Sudan, Bangladesh, and Syria banned triple talaq long ago, but Congress did nothing for Muslim women during its decade in power. “We believe in real service, not lip service,” he added. He stated that the Bill will bring needed reforms in managing Waqf properties.

Kharge Urges Government to Withdraw the Bill

Opposition leader Mallikarjun Kharge urged the government not to disturb peace and harmony. He warned that the Bill could provoke tensions. Calling it “unconstitutional,” he asked the ruling party to drop it. “Don’t make this a matter of prestige,” he said. Kharge alleged that the Bill aimed to suppress Muslims and take over their assets.

Congress MP Flags Community Targeting

Congress MP Syed Naseer Hussain opened the debate. He described the Bill as “unconstitutional” and claimed it specifically targeted Muslims. He accused the BJP of trying to divide society for political gain. He alleged the government was using the Bill to polarise voters and push it through the Upper House without proper debate.

Other Opposition MPs Voice Worries

RJD’s Manoj Jha raised doubts about the Bill’s purpose. He said, “The content and intent are questionable.” He urged the government to send it back to a Select Committee. Jha warned the Bill was part of “dog-whistle politics” aimed at sidelining Muslims. Samajwadi Party MP Ram Gopal Yadav highlighted the need to respect all religions. He cautioned, “India must not turn into a totalitarian state.” He stressed that a major population group feeling marginalised could create instability.

Constitutional Principles at Risk, Say Critics

CPI(M)’s John Brittas warned that the Bill attacked the core values of the Constitution. “It attacks secularism, democracy, and equality. They are segregating God from God—Hindu God from Allah,” he said. YSRCP’s Y V Subba Reddy also opposed the Bill, calling it unconstitutional. Congress MP Abhishek Singhvi criticised the removal of the ‘Waqf by user’ concept. He said the Bill restricts waqf creation based on long-term use. “This is a deliberate attempt by the government to further its own agenda,” he alleged.

Sibal and Others Raise Broader Concerns

Independent MP Kapil Sibal argued that earlier laws allowed non-Muslims to form Waqf Boards, but the new Bill blocks that. He said, “Bring a law to ensure women have inheritance rights in all religions.” He urged the government to protect daughters’ property rights in every community. BJD MP Muzibulla Khan said Muslims were concerned about the inclusion of non-Muslims in the Waqf Board. However, BJD’s Sasmit Patra clarified that the party allowed its MPs to vote freely and had not issued any whip.

DMK, AAP, and Shiv Sena Also Oppose the Bill

DMK leader Tiruchi Siva opposed the Bill, saying, “We reject the Bill in its entirety because it is legally flawed, constitutionally indefensible, and morally reprehensible.” He asked why the government was targeting a specific community and expressed confidence that the Supreme Court would strike it down. AAP MP Sanjay Singh warned the Bill would give the government control over Muslim religious bodies. He cautioned, “Next, they will target Sikh, Christian, and Jain institutions.” Shiv Sena (UBT) MP Sanjay Raut also questioned the government’s intent. “Why is the government so concerned about poor Muslims?” he asked, suggesting that the Bill might be a distraction from external issues like US tariffs.