The Rajya Sabha has approved the Waqf (Amendment) Bill with 128 votes in favour and 95 against. The bill, which was passed smoothly in the Lok Sabha, was approved in the Upper House within 24 hours. Extensive discussions continued past midnight before its approval.
Minority Affairs Minister Kiren Rijiju, initiating the debate, refuted allegations that the bill would harm Muslim interests. He emphasized that the management and beneficiaries of the Waqf Board will be Muslims, with no interference from non-Muslims. Rijiju clarified that the bill focuses on property management and aims to eliminate corruption. Proof of ownership will be required before declaring a property as Waqf.
During the debate, Minister Rijiju and Union Minister Amit Shah presented a list of properties classified as Waqf, including sites in Lutyens' Zone, Delhi, a 400-year-old temple in Tamil Nadu, land for a five-star hotel, and the old Parliament building.
In the Lok Sabha, the bill received 288 votes in favour and 232 against after a 12-hour debate, with the vote conducted by Speaker Om Birla post-midnight.
The bill will now be sent for the President's assent, after which it will become law, amending the 1995 Act regulating Waqf properties.
