Lok Sabha Approves Controversial Waqf Amendment Bill
In a late-night session stretching into the early hours of April 3, 2025, the Lok Sabha approved the Waqf (Amendment) Bill 2025 after an intense 12-hour debate. The bill has sparked significant controversy, especially among Muslim religious organizations and the opposition INDIA bloc.
Introduced by Minority Affairs Minister Kiren Rijiju, the bill has been met with strong resistance. Critics, including the All India Muslim Personal Law Board (AIMPLB), argue that it targets minority rights and undermines constitutional freedoms. They have derided the bill as 'discriminatory' and 'communal', vowing to oppose it through legal action and protests across the country.
Key Provisions and Controversy
The Waqf Amendment Bill introduces several contentious provisions. Notably, it eliminates the 'Waqf by User' clause, allows non-Muslims to participate on Waqf boards, and grants government officials increased authority to decide property ownership. Opponents like MPs Asaduddin Owaisi (AIMIM) and Kalyan Banerjee (TMC) have voiced concerns, arguing these amendments violate Constitutional Articles 14, 25, and 26. They view it as an affront to religious institutions.
The government, on the other hand, defends the bill as a measure for enhancing transparency and ensuring the efficient management of Waqf properties. However, members of the Congress party suspect the bill's timing is a ploy to divert attention from pressing issues like the US tariff crisis.
With the NDA's majority in the Lok Sabha, the bill passed with 288 votes in favor and 232 against. The debate is expected to continue when it moves to the Rajya Sabha, where another round of heated discussions will likely take place.
The AIMPLB is actively campaigning against the bill and encourages secular parties and conscientious MPs to oppose it. Drawing inspiration from the farmers' protests, they aim to mobilize nationwide demonstrations. Meanwhile, organizations like Jamaat Islami Hind have pledged to raise their voices against the legislation.
Legal challenges are looming, with Congress MP Imran Masood accusing the government of crushing the Constitution. The intense backlash and potential for legal actions signal that the dispute over the Waqf Amendment Bill is far from over.