The Waqf (Amendment) Bill 2025 and the Muslim Waqf (Cancellation) Bill 2024 were passed in the Lok Sabha on Wednesday . The process was completed after more than 10 hours of discussion, in which many opposition parties protested strongly. This bill will now be introduced in the Rajya Sabha today (3 April). Earlier, Aam Aadmi Party Rajya Sabha MP Sanjay Singh gave his reaction to this. He wrote on the social media platform ‘X’, “Today Baba Saheb’s Constitution was killed, the Waqf Bill is the beginning of occupation of religious properties. Remember my words, first the Waqf land will be occupied and it will be given to our friends, then the turn of gurudwaras, churches and temples will come.”
There was overwhelming support in the voting, 288 votes were cast in favor
The Waqf (Amendment) Bill was passed in the House with the support of 288 votes. While 232 votes went against it. The bill was introduced in the House by Union Minority Affairs Minister Kiren Rijiju and after discussion, he said that this bill is in the interest of the Muslim community. During this meeting which went on till late night in the House, many opposition members had demanded counting of votes, which was later approved. Along with this, the Muslim Waqf (Cancellation) Bill, 2024 was also passed by voice vote in the House.
Opposition’s amendments received negative response
The opposition proposed several amendments to the bill, most of which were rejected by voice vote. Notably, an amendment moved by Revolutionary Socialist Party MP N.K. Premachandran, which proposed the appointment of two non-Muslim members to the Wakf Board, was rejected by 288 votes to 231. Besides, three amendments moved by the government, which added clauses 4A and 15A to the bill, were also approved by the House.
PM Modi and Rahul Gandhi were not present in the house
When the Waqf (Amendment) Bill was being voted on, neither Prime Minister Narendra Modi nor opposition leader Rahul Gandhi were present in the House. However, Speaker Om Birla, responding to a controversy raised by an opposition member, clarified that toilets have been provided in the lobby in the new Parliament building and entry is only from the lobby, no one from outside is allowed. Thus, this important bill was passed amid huge uproar and controversy.
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