Parliament clears Waqf Amendment Bill as Rajya Sabha gives final nod

Bill awaits Presidential assent to become law

In a key legislative move, Parliament has passed the Waqf Amendment Bill 2025 after an intense 13-hour debate in the Rajya Sabha during the early hours of Friday. The bill, described by the government as a “historic reform” for the minority community, faced strong opposition, with critics labeling it “anti-Muslim” and “unconstitutional.”

The passage of the bill saw a divided Parliament. In the Rajya Sabha, the bill was passed with 128 votes in favour and 95 against. A day earlier, the Lok Sabha cleared it with 288 members supporting the measure and 232 voting against it.

What happens next: Presidential assent required

With both Houses of Parliament approving the bill, it will now be forwarded to the President of India. The bill will officially become law once the President grants assent. If the President returns the bill with recommendations, Parliament may choose to amend it or maintain the original version. Upon resubmission, presidential approval becomes obligatory.

Objectives and key provisions of the Waqf Amendment Bill 2025

The bill seeks to amend the Waqf Act of 1995 to improve the functioning of Waqf boards across the country. It introduced reforms aimed at enhancing the efficiency and transparency of Waqf property management through digitized records and a more streamlined registration process.

According to the government, the bill addresses long-standing issues in the governance of waqf properties and brings in measures to modernize administrative systems.

Extensive Public and Expert Consultation Through Joint Parliamentary Committee
Union Minority Affairs Minister Kiren Rijiju, who presented the bill in Parliament, stated that the process of public consultation conducted by the Joint Parliamentary Committee (JPC) was the most extensive ever in India’s parliamentary history. He said the committee received over 97.27 lakh petitions and memorandums via both physical and digital channels.

The JPC reviewed feedback from 284 delegations and received formal input from Waqf boards across 25 states and Union Territories. Additionally, legal experts, academics, religious leaders, and charitable organizations contributed their views.

Rijiju emphasized that the bill incorporates several of the recommendations from the JPC and was revised before being tabled for final approval in Parliament.

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