‘Purely political decision’: Home Minister Parameshwara on Waqf Amendment Bill

BENGALURU: Home Minister G Parameshwara on Thursday said that the decision to bring Waqf Amendment Bill 2025, which was passed in the Lok Sabha in the early hours on Thursday, was “purely political”. “This is not a good bill. This is purely a political decision taken by the present government of India”, Parameshwara said.

#WATCH | Bengaluru, Karnataka | On the #WaqfAmendmentBill passed in the Lok Sabha, Karnataka Minister Dr G Parameshwara says, ” This is not a good bill… This is purely a political decision taken by the present government of India.” pic.twitter.com/Ph2TqHaolt

— ANI (@ANI) April 3, 2025

Additionally, Congress MP Kiran Kumar Chamla said that this is not the mandate of the people, adding that the bill is against the Muslim community.

“This is a dark day where they have made a law post midnight when people were sleeping… This is not the mandate of the people. It could be passed only because of Chandrababu Naidu and Nitish Kumar, who joined the NDA post-election for the survival of the 18th Lok Sabha and their government in Andhra Pradesh and Bihar… This bill is against the Muslim community and is not a real democracy,” he said.

“They (BJP) know how to use the Parliament floor as their party’s platform when the speaker is not even allowing the Opposition parties to object to any issues,” he said.

Congress MP Rajeev Shukla reaffirmed the party’s stance on the bill. The proposed legislation -is set to be tabled in Rajya Sabha today. “The stand taken by the opposition yesterday will be maintained in the Rajya Sabha as well… Congress will stick to its principles,” Shukla said. Congress MP Renuka Chowdhury said that the party wants a discussion on the bill in Rajya Sabha.

The Waqf (Amendment) Bill, 2025 was cleared with a majority in the Lok Sabha. The Lower House witnessed a 12-hour debate, after which the Bill was passed with 288 in its favour and 232 against it. The bill was passed after amendments made by the opposition members were negatived.

The House sat beyond midnight to pass the legislation. After a reply to the debate by Parliamentary Affairs Minister Kiren Rijiju, Speaker Om Birla announced that the House is taking up item no 12 in the listed business – The Waqf (Amendment) Bill, 2025 – for a decision of the House. He said the question is whether the bill should be taken up for consideration and then said the lobbies should be cleared. He later announced the result of the division.

The bill seeks to amend the Act of 1995 and improve the administration and management of waqf properties in India. It aims to overcome the shortcomings of the previous act and enhance the efficiency of Waqf boards, improving the registration process and increasing the role of technology in managing Waqf records. (ANI)