- India,
- 04-Apr-2025 09:11 AM IST
After being passed in the Lok Sabha, the Waqf Amendment Bill has now been passed in the Rajya Sabha as well. The bill was presented in the Lok Sabha on Wednesday, which was discussed for more than 12 hours and was passed late at night. In the Lok Sabha, 288 votes were cast in support of the bill and 232 in opposition. At the same time, in the Rajya Sabha, it got the support of 128 MPs, while 95 MPs opposed it. Now this bill will be sent to the President and after getting his approval, it will take the form of law.
Discussion on the bill in Rajya SabhaOn Thursday at 1 pm, Union Minority Affairs Minister Kiren Rijiju presented the Waqf Amendment Bill in the Rajya Sabha. The bill was discussed for more than 14 hours, after which voting was done through the automatic voting system and the bill was passed with a majority. During this, Kiren Rijiju said that this bill will not harm any Muslim.
Support of BJD MP Sasmit PatraThe three major opposition parties - Biju Janata Dal (BJD), YSR Congress Party and Bharat Rashtra Samiti (BRS) did not issue any whip regarding this bill. BRS opposed the bill in the Rajya Sabha, while BJD MP Sasmit Patra voted in its support. He said that his party had given freedom to the MPs to vote according to their conscience, and he voted in support of the bill. At the same time, BJP's allies Janata Dal United and Telugu Desam Party also supported the bill.
Opposition to the oppositionLeader of Opposition in Rajya Sabha Mallikarjun Kharge opposed the bill, saying that it has been brought with the aim of harassing the minorities. He alleged that even while maintaining the basic elements of the Waqf Act of 1995, some new provisions have been added to it which are against the interests of minorities. He also alleged that the government is cutting the budget of the Minority Ministry and closing the schemes being run for minorities.
Kiren Rijiju's clarificationResponding to the allegations of the opposition, Kiren Rijiju said that many improvements have been made in the initial bill and the now passed bill. He also clarified that there is no interference in the Waqf properties. Responding to the questions raised by the opposition, he said that the Waqf Board will have four members including the chairman, so that the decision-making process in the board remains transparent.
Further processThe Waqf Amendment Bill will now be sent for the President's approval. After getting the President's approval, this bill will become a law and will be implemented. Political and social reactions to this bill will also be monitored.
Discussion on the bill in Rajya SabhaOn Thursday at 1 pm, Union Minority Affairs Minister Kiren Rijiju presented the Waqf Amendment Bill in the Rajya Sabha. The bill was discussed for more than 14 hours, after which voting was done through the automatic voting system and the bill was passed with a majority. During this, Kiren Rijiju said that this bill will not harm any Muslim.
Support of BJD MP Sasmit PatraThe three major opposition parties - Biju Janata Dal (BJD), YSR Congress Party and Bharat Rashtra Samiti (BRS) did not issue any whip regarding this bill. BRS opposed the bill in the Rajya Sabha, while BJD MP Sasmit Patra voted in its support. He said that his party had given freedom to the MPs to vote according to their conscience, and he voted in support of the bill. At the same time, BJP's allies Janata Dal United and Telugu Desam Party also supported the bill.
Opposition to the oppositionLeader of Opposition in Rajya Sabha Mallikarjun Kharge opposed the bill, saying that it has been brought with the aim of harassing the minorities. He alleged that even while maintaining the basic elements of the Waqf Act of 1995, some new provisions have been added to it which are against the interests of minorities. He also alleged that the government is cutting the budget of the Minority Ministry and closing the schemes being run for minorities.
Kiren Rijiju's clarificationResponding to the allegations of the opposition, Kiren Rijiju said that many improvements have been made in the initial bill and the now passed bill. He also clarified that there is no interference in the Waqf properties. Responding to the questions raised by the opposition, he said that the Waqf Board will have four members including the chairman, so that the decision-making process in the board remains transparent.
Further processThe Waqf Amendment Bill will now be sent for the President's approval. After getting the President's approval, this bill will become a law and will be implemented. Political and social reactions to this bill will also be monitored.