NEW DELHI, April 1: The Waqf (Amendment) Bill, 2025, is set to be taken up for consideration and passage in the Lok Sabha on Wednesday, Parliamentary Affairs Minister Kiren Rijiju announced.
Addressing a press conference on Tuesday, Rijiju accused the opposition of engaging in “appeasement politics” over the Bill. He stated that an eight-hour discussion has been scheduled in the lower house, with the possibility of extending the duration as per the decision of the Business Advisory Committee (BAC).
The Minister further said that the appropriate time for the Bill’s introduction would be determined after consultations within the BAC and discussions with the Speaker. He emphasized that the government is prepared to address all concerns regarding the legislation and reiterated that opposition parties are resisting the Bill due to their “appeasement politics.”
Meanwhile, opposition MPs have labeled the Bill as “unconstitutional” and have pledged to oppose its tabling in Parliament. The Waqf (Amendment) Bill was initially introduced in the Lok Sabha in August 2024 and later referred to a Joint Parliamentary Committee (JPC), led by BJP MP Jagdambika Pal. The JPC cleared the Bill on January 27, and earlier this month, it submitted its 655-page report to both houses of Parliament amid protests from opposition parties and Muslim groups.
The Waqf (Amendment) Bill, 2024, aims to introduce key reforms, including digitization of records, enhanced audits, increased transparency, and legal measures to reclaim illegally occupied Waqf properties.
