Rajya Sabha passes Waqf Amendment Bill

NEW DELHI: The central government passed the Waqf Amendment Bill in the Rajya Sabha amidst heated debates and protests from both the ruling party and the opposition. The bill will become law once the President signs it.

At around 2 PM yesterday, Union Minister Kiren Rijiju presented the bill in the Rajya Sabha. The issue of Munambam was also raised during the session, with Kerala MPs reiterating their support for the people of Munambam. Union Minister J.P. Nadda defended the bill, stating that it would strengthen the nation.

Meanwhile, dissatisfaction has emerged within the Muslim League regarding Congress leaders Rahul Gandhi and Priyanka Gandhi. The League expressed disappointment that Rahul Gandhi did not speak during the Lok Sabha debate, and Priyanka Gandhi was absent. Given that Priyanka secured a significant majority in Wayanad with crucial minority votes, League leaders believe both leaders should have strongly voiced Muslim community concerns in the Lok Sabha.

Reflecting this sentiment, Congress leaders Mallikarjun Kharge and Sonia Gandhi fiercely opposed the bill in the Rajya Sabha yesterday. Kharge criticized it as an encroachment on minority rights, while Sonia Gandhi accused the BJP of attempting communal polarization.

"The bill is unconstitutional and undermines the secular and federal nature of the country."
— Adv. Haris Beeran, Muslim League

Key changes

• No land can be arbitrarily declared as Waqf.
• Decisions made by the Waqf Board and Tribunal are not final.
• Appeals can be filed in the High Court within 90 days.
• If historical monuments have been declared as Waqf properties, such declarations will be annulled.
• Complete ban on declaring Scheduled Tribe land as Waqf property.