Parliament Passes Waqf (Amendment) Bill, BJD’s ‘Conscience’ Voting Draws Attention
Bhubaneswar: In a dramatic turn in the Rajya Sabha, the Waqf (Amendment) Bill, 2025 was passed on Friday with 128 votes in favour and 95 against, following an intense 12-hour debate that spanned into the early hours of the morning. Notably, the Biju Janata Dal (BJD), which had earlier opposed the Bill, refrained from issuing a whip, allowing its members to vote as per their conscience—an unexpected move that drew significant political attention.
Introduced by Union Minority Affairs Minister Kiren Rijiju, the Bill seeks to amend the Waqf Act of 1995 to bring greater transparency, accountability, and efficiency in the management of Waqf properties. It also repeals the outdated Mussalman Wakf Act, reflecting a shift towards a more centralised, tech-enabled framework for governance of Waqf assets.
Defending the Bill, Rijiju asserted that it incorporates several recommendations made by the Joint Parliamentary Committee (JPC) and rejected the Opposition’s accusations of community targeting. He claimed the legislation would empower Muslim women, protect the rights of all Muslim sects, and benefit crores of poor Muslims, without infringing upon religious freedom. “The management and creation of Waqf properties will remain within the Muslim community,” Rijiju said.
The Bill proposes mandatory audits for Waqf institutions earning over Rs.1 lakh, a reduction in mandatory contribution to Waqf boards from 7% to 5%, and the creation of a centralised digital portal to manage Waqf properties. It also restores pre-2013 provisions, allowing only practising Muslims of five years to declare a Waqf, a clause that sparked fierce criticism from Opposition MPs.
Among those who opposed the Bill, Congress MP Syed Naseer Hussain denounced it as discriminatory, questioning the feasibility of verifying an individual’s religious practice. TMC’s Nadimul Islam echoed similar concerns, asking if Muslims would now be required to “register” their faith.
The most heated exchange came when DMK’s Tiruchi Siva sought a vote division on Clause 10, which allows for the inclusion of two non-Muslim members in the Central Waqf Council – his amendment was defeated by 125-92 votes.
