Waqf Amendment Bill Live Updates: Congress leader Kharge demands inquiry into Manipur violence, asks govt to table White Paper in House

With 74% of waqf properties under encroachment, all Waqf Board properties in the state will now be surveyed by IIT-Delhi beginning this month. As part of the survey, the coordinates of the land parcels, boundaries, will be recorded with global positioning system (GPS) and GPRS. The exercise is being taken up to identify waqf properties with boundaries and also prevent further encroachments.

"A team of IIT-Delhi will come to Hyderabad on April 28 and is expected to begin the survey. A preparatory meeting was held by the Centre in Delhi on Feb 28 and Telangana Waqf Board had provided all the material pertaining to the waqf properties," Telangana Waqf Board chief executive officer Md Asadullah told TOI on Wednesday.

Speaking on Waqf Amendment Bill 2025, TMC MP Nadimul Haque says, "This bill mentions a condition that a person can create Waqf only after practising Islam for a minimum of 5 years. I want to ask - who will give a certificate that a person is a practising Muslim? This is unconstitutional and against Article 14."

DMK MP TR Baalu said, "To protest against the passage of Waqf Bill, we are wearing black in state Assembly as well as here (Parliament) in both the houses. We have also raised the issue of Kachchatheevu (island), which was unconstitutionally ceded by the government of India during 1976 when the President's Rule was there. So, this has to be retrieved immediately."

Speaking to ANI on Thursday, Singh acknowledged the government's majority but stressed that opposition concerns, including those from Congress and INDIA bloc allies like DMK, RJD, Trinamool Congress, and AAP, were overlooked.

"Since the government holds a majority in the Lok Sabha, the bill was bound to pass. However, concerns raised by all parties, especially the Congress and allies of the INDIA bloc, whether it is DMK, RJD, Trinamool Congress, or AAP, should have been addressed. Everyone wants transparency, and there is no debate about that. The issues raised were in view of the Constitution, but instead of addressing them, the government pushed the bill forward," Singh said.

Speaking in Rajya Sabha on the Waqf Bill, Congress MP Syed Naseer Hussain said, "Those properties exist even today, and are in long usage, that is the proof of them being in Waqf...There is 'Waqf by user', temple by user, gurudwara by user...How will you ask for proof for all? How will you ask for proof of the age old places. They trying to incite riots and make their vote bank."

Speaking in Rajya Sabha on the Waqf Bill, Congress MP Syed Naseer Hussain says, "...You do communal polarisation, and then you accuse us of doing polarisation...This bill is based on total falsity, and a misinformation campaign has been built in the last 6 months. BJP's fake factory involved in spreading misinformation."

Kiren Rijiju tabled the Waqf (Amendment) Bill, 2025, in the Rajya Sabha, asserting that the proposed legislation is not against Muslims or intended to hurt their religious feelings, but seeks to improve the functioning of Waqf properties, address the complexities, ensure transparency and introduce technology-driven management.

The Lok Sabha passed the Bill with a 288-232 vote in the wee hours of Thursday after nearly 12 hours of debate.

Tabling the Bill in the Upper House, which was examined and redrafted by a Joint Parliamentary Committee (JPC), Rijiju said the proposed legislation has nothing to do with religion, but deals only with properties.

The Bill aims to include all the Muslims sects in the Waqf board, Rijiju said.

The minister informed the House that there were 4.9 lakh Waqf properties in 2004, which have now increased to 8.72 lakh.

Seeking the opposition's support to pass the Bill, Rijiju said it aims to accomplish the unfulfilled tasks of the previous governments.

He also said that Waqf owns the largest chunk of properties in the country, leaving aside those owned by defence and railways.

Brushing aside the charges made by the opposition, Rijiju said, "The Bill is not against Muslims... We don't want to hurt anyone's religious sentiments. The Waqf board is set up only to oversee, and not manage, Waqf properties."

"The government has introduced the Bill with a good intention, and thus renamed it as 'UMEED'. No one should have any problem with the name," he added.

The government proposes to rename the Waqf Bill as Unified Waqf Management Empowerment, Efficiency and Development (UMEED) Bill.

Shiv Sena (UBT) chief Uddhav Thackeray on Thursday said the "concern" shown by the BJP and its allies during the discussion on the Waqf Amendment Bill would put Pakistan's founder Muhammad Ali Jinnah to shame. His party opposed the BJP's fraudulent stand on the bill and its ploy to take away land and give it to its industrialist friends, he said at a press conference here, hours after the bill was passed by the Lok Sabha.

Thackeray, a former BJP ally, said the BJP has won a third term at the Centre and things are going well, yet it is raking up Hindu-Muslim issues. He dared the saffron party to remove the green colour from its party flag if it disliked Muslims. Thackeray also said Prime Minister Narendra Modi should have told the country about the impending danger of US tariffs and the steps being taken to mitigate it.

We don't want to hurt anyone's religious feeling: Rijiju in Rajya Sabha

Rajya Sabha on Waqf Amendment Bill 2025, Union minister Kiren Rijiju says, "... As of today, there are 8.72 lakh Waqf properties...In 2006, if the Sachar committee had estimated the earnings from 4.9 lakh Waqf properties at Rs 12,000 crore, then you can imagine the income these properties must be generating now..."

Congress leader Rahul Gandhi said, "There should be status quo, and we should get our land back. It has also come to my knowledge that the Prime Minister and President have written to Chinese. We are finding this out not from our own people but from the Chinese ambassador who is telling this."

"On the other side, our ally has decided to levy tariffs on us. This will completely devastate us...What is Govt of India doing about our land and what will you do on the issue of tariffs," he added.

Samajwadi Party MLA Abu Azmi said that "Those who have not done a single work in favour of Muslim after forming government... they are looking for temples beneath the mosques... such people can never bring any bill in favour of Muslims. They want to grab the land. They can never work in favour of Muslims. The bill was passed in Lok Sabha and it will be passed in Rajya Sabha as they have majority. We are protesting against this bill and keep doing so."

Leader of opposition in Rajya Sabha, Mallikarjun Kharge, said that "allegations levelled against me by BJP MP Anurag Thakur damaged my reputation." Furthermore, he asserted that he "will resign if allegations levelled against him" are proved.

Expressing strong opposition to the Waqf Bill's passage in the Lok Sabha, Tamil Nadu Chief Minister and DMK leader M K Stalin announced on Thursday that his party would challenge the Bill in the Supreme Court.

Wearing a black badge in the Assembly to protest the Bill's passage, the CM criticised its adoption at 2 am "at the behest of a few allies" despite opposition from most Indian parties, stating it undermined constitutional principles.

"This is an act that disturbs religious harmony. To highlight this, we are participating in today's Assembly proceedings wearing black badges," the chief minister told the House.

"I would like to inform you that a case will be filed in the Supreme Court on behalf of the Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK) against this controversial amendment. Tamil Nadu will fight against the Union government's law which destroys the autonomy of the Waqf Board and threatens the minority Muslim population," Stalin said amidst thumping of desk by the Treasury.

Sonia Gandhi, during the Congress Parliamentary Party meeting, said that, " Modi govt dragging country into an abyss where Constitution will remain on paper; their intention to demolish it."

At the CPP gathering, she specifically criticised the One Nation, One Election Bill, describing it as yet another attempt to weaken the constitutional framework.

She emphasised the Congress party's firm opposition to this proposed legislation, viewing it as detrimental to democratic principles.

Sonia Gandhi, Chairperson, CPP & Congress MP at CPP General Body meeting, says," Yesterday, the Waqf Amendment Bill, 2024 was passed in the Lok Sabha, and today it is scheduled to come up in the Rajya Sabha. The bill was in effect bulldozed through. Our party’s position is clear. The Bill is a brazen assault on the Constitution itself. It is very much part of the BJP’s deliberate strategy to keep our society in a state of permanent polarization."

Union minister Giriraj Singh criticised Congress, stating that the current government has rectified the errors committed by Congress in 2013 whilst pursuing their policy of appeasement.

"We have corrected the mistakes that Congress made in 2013 in the name of appeasement politics and have taken care of the poor and women... We hope that in future, the poor will get the rights to their land," Singh said.

BJP senior leader Ravi Shankar Prasad expressed his views on the Waqf (Amendment) Bill, highlighting its advantages for the underprivileged Muslim community.

"I am satisfied that a historic decision has been taken and the Waqf (Amendment) Bill has been passed...The Waqf (Amendment) Bill will provide benefits to the poor Muslims," Prasad said.

After the Waqf Amendment Bill was passed in Lok Sabha, Syed Naseruddin Chishty, the Chairman of All India Sufi Sajjadanashin Council (AISSC) stated that this is "victory" of Indian democracy as the government has taken a 'big step' in the interests of the Muslims.

Chisty hoped that the government will introduce schemes for the development of Muslims, especially for underprivileged Muslims, women and children.

He further congratulated Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Union Home Minister Amit Shah and Union Minister for Minority Affairs Kiren Rijiju on passing of the bill.

"This is the victory of India's democracy and the bill was brought in a very democratic manner and the bill has been passed after holding discussions. I congratulate PM Modi, Amit Shah and Kiren Rijiju on this. PM Modi has always talked about 'Sabka Saath Sabka Vikas Sabka Vishwas'... This is a very big step taken by the government in the best interests of the Muslims... The government should also introduce schemes for the development of the Muslims... I am hopeful that the bill will be passed in the Rajya Sabha also. I urge the government to bring schemes for the welfare of Muslims, especially for underprivileged, women and children," Chisty told ANI.

Muslim organisations and leaders strongly opposed the Waqf (Amendment) Bill tabled by the Bharatiya Janata Party-led government in Parliament on Wednesday. They argue that the proposed changes will be detrimental rather than beneficial to the Muslim community. They claim that the Bill is an attempt to weaken the autonomy of Waqf properties and seize lands that have been historically dedicated for religious and charitable purposes.

Senior members of the All India Muslim Personal Law Board (AIMPLB) have denounced the Bill, stating that their concerns were disregarded by the Joint Parliamentary Committee (JPC). "The AIMPLB and other Muslim organizations have conveyed their concerns over the Bill to the JPC, but they were not considered," said Maulana Khalid Rashi Farangi Mahali, a senior executive member of the Board, to PTI.

The Delhi BJP held demonstrations at the Vijay Chowk and the Rail Bhawan crossing here on Wednesday to express support for the Waqf (Amendment) Bill, which was taken up for discussion and passage in the Lok Sabha. The Delhi BJP and its Minority Morcha have welcomed the introduction of the Waqf Amendment Bill in the Lower House of Parliament, hailing it as a significant step towards the welfare and development of marginalised Muslims.
Delhi BJP chief Virendra Sachdeva emphasised that the Bill would not only pave the way for the development of Muslims in Delhi but also benefit the community across the country.

He said a particular section of society had monopolised Waqf Board resources for years, preventing their benefits from reaching underprivileged Muslims.

"The Waqf Amendment Bill should rather be called the Waqf Improvement Bill. This is a reformative step that will free Waqf Board resources from the control of a select few and ensure their proper utilisation for the welfare of the community," he said.

Sachdeva criticised those opposing the bill, questioning why no hospitals or schools had been built on Waqf Board lands despite decades of control by a select group.

He said the bill would ensure that such properties are utilised for the true welfare of the community, in line with the government's vision of 'Sabka Saath, Sabka Vikas'.

Minority Morcha President Anis Abbasi echoed similar sentiments and said Prime Minister Narendra Modi is the first leader in nearly eight decades to challenge the exclusive control over Waqf properties and work towards making them accessible to common Muslims.

He also pointed out that the Bill was formulated after reviewing nearly 97 lakh suggestions received by the Joint Parliamentary Committee (JPC).

Key members of the Minority Morcha, including Naim Saifi, Faisal Mansoori, Shabana Rehman, Irfan Salmani, Zulfiqar Ali, Imtiaz Ahmed, Murshida Khatun, and Khalid Chaudhary, displayed placards and distributed sweets.

The BJP leaders urged the public to support the Bill and avoid being misled by political narratives against it, stressing that it is a much-needed reform for ensuring transparency and better utilisation of Waqf resources.

The Bill to amend the law governing Waqf boards proposes far-reaching changes in the 1995 Wakf Act, including ensuring the representation of Muslim women and non-Muslims in such bodies.

According to its statement of objects and reasons, the Bill seeks to omit Section 40 of the current law relating to the powers of the board to decide if a property is Waqf property.

It provides for a broad-based composition of the Central Waqf Council and state Waqf boards, and proposes to establish a separate board of Auqaf for Boharas and Aghakhanis. It provides for representation of Shias, Sunnis, Bohras, Agakhanis and other backward classes among Muslims.

The Waqf (Amendment) Bill also seeks to rename the Act as the Unified Waqf Management, Empowerment, Efficiency and Development Act, 1995.

While the government is determined to push the Bill through in the Lok Sabha, the opposition is united in condemning the proposed law as unconstitutional.

The Rajya Sabha is expected to take it up on Thursday.

Leader of opposition in Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi on Wednesday called the Waqf (Amendment) Bill a weapon, aimed at marginalising Muslims and usurping their personal laws and property rights. In a post on X, the Congress leader said, "This attack on the Constitution by the RSS, BJP and their allies is aimed at Muslims today but sets a precedent to target other communities in the future."
He added, "The Congress party strongly opposes this legislation as it attacks the very idea of India and violates Article 25, the Right to Freedom of Religion."

The Lok Sabha passed the Waqf (Amendment) Bill late in night after a 12-hour debate.

The Bill was passed after all amendments moved by the opposition members were rejected by voice votes. It was passed after division of votes -- 288 in favour and 232 against.

The Bill will now come up in the Rajya Sabha on Thursday.

TMC MP Kalyan Banerjee said "This is an unconstitutional bill. The bill will be challenged. This bill is dangerous for the Muslim community. They (BJP) will have to pay for passing this bill..."

Home minister Amit Shah moved the resolution for LS nod to the Presidential proclamation for presidents rule in Manipur. Shashi Tharoor called to speak but he asked why take it up at 2 am.

Tharoor talks about national security failure and large number of deaths. He further said that no decisive action was taken for two years. Tharoor said presidents rule was proclaimed only because of no confidence motion prepared by the Manipur congress.

The Lok Sabha early Thursday passed the contentious Waqf (Amendment) Bill, 2025, after over a 12-hour debate, which saw the ruling NDA strongly defending the legislation as beneficial for minorities, while the opposition describing it as "anti-Muslim". The Bill was passed after all amendments moved by the opposition members were rejected by voice votes. It was passed after division of votes -- 288 in favour and 232 against.

In his reply to the debate, Union Minorities Affairs Minister Kiren Rijiju said there is no place in the world safer than India for minorities and they are safe because the majority is entirely secular.

He said even minuscule minority communities like the Parsis are safe in India and all minorities here live with pride.

"Some members have said that minorities are not safe in India. This statement is completely false. There is no place safer than India for minorities. I am also a minority and we all are living here without any fear and with pride," he said after the debate on the Bill.

In a social media post on X, Rahul Gandhi said, "The Waqf (Amendment) Bill is a weapon aimed at marginalising Muslims and usurping their personal laws and property rights. This attack on the Constitution by the RSS, BJP and their allies is aimed at Muslims today but sets a precedent to target other communities in the future,"

Speaking in the Lok Sabha, Parliamentary affairs minister Kiren Rijiju said, "I want to thank all the leaders for keeping their views regarding the Bill. Some leaders are saying that the bill is unconstitutional, and I want to ask them how they could say that the bill is unconstitutional. If it was unconstitutional, why didn't the court strike it down? Words like unconstitutional should not be used. The Bill is not against the Constitution, as the opposition claimed. We should not use the words ‘constitutional’ and ‘unconstitutional’ so lightly.”

"I want to be very clear in informing my colleagues that removal of Waqf by user proposed in the bill is due to inadequate documentation, data supporting ownership of Waqf properties leading to dispute," he added.

With the Waqf Amendment Bill being presented in the Lok Sabha, security has been heightened across Uttar Pradesh to maintain law and order.

Police authorities in key cities, including Lucknow, Kanpur, Varanasi, Ayodhya and Sambhal, have intensified patrolling and are engaging with the public to ensure peace prevails.

In Lucknow, DCP (Central) Ashish Srivastava stated that police are in continuous dialogue with the public, addressing concerns and urging people to understand the constitutional framework behind the Bill.

"Today Waqf Amendment Bill is being presented in the Lok Sabha. In this connection, Police have continuously been in contact with the public. We are speaking with everyone, understanding their grievances and appealing to them to send a message that this is Constitutional work and they should understand the Government's intent behind this and support it. If anybody has any kind of issues, they can oppose it in a Constitutional manner," said Ashish Srivastava

"Lucknow is a city where we are ready to tackle any kind of situation at any time. So, all arrangements are already in place. Police personnel are aware of the SOP, they do these things every day to ensure that the confidence of people in Police is maintained. I urge people to not have any misconception; they should understand this," he added.

Speaking at Lok Sabha, BJP MP and Waqf (Amendment) Bill JPC chairperson Jagdambika Pal said, "I want to thank the government and all members because this is the first time that the government has accepted all of this JPC's recommendations. This is not an ordinary thing."

"Asasuddin Owaisi calls the bill unconstitutional, but he has done the unconstitutional thing by tearing up the bill...I want to ask him why he tore the bill?" he added.

JPC chief Jagdambika Pal slammed AIMIM chief Owaisi for tearing up the Waqf Amendment Bill. He said that Owaisi called the Bill "unconstitutional," but tearing up the Bill is actually the "unconstitutional act." While participating in the discussion in the Lok Sabha, Owaisi said that like Mahatma Gandhi in Africa he is tearing up the papers and removed the staples.

Jagdambika Pal says he was glad and thankful to the party for making him the JPC chief. He also said that if BP wanted then they could have passed the Bill, but still decided to refer this to the JPC and tried to have the deliberation with other party members. He also claimed that the government has accepeted all the recommendations given by the JPC.

Owaisi said that like Mahatma Gandhi, he will tear up the Amendment papers and called the Waqf Amendment Bill "unconstitutional." He said, "In this country, the BJP wants to create conflicts in the name of temples and mosques."