Waqf Bill: Minority Affairs Minister 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.
Waqf Bill: Leader of the Rajya Sabha and Union Minister JP Nadda defended the (Amendment) Bill, saying it is in the nation’s interest. He said that the Opposition is trying to “bulldoze” the Waqf Bill brought by Prime Minister Narendra Modi-led Centre.
Speaking in the House, Nadda said, “I stand here in support of the Bill, and I hope that the House will also support it. Mujhe umeed hai ki UMEED (Unified Waqf Management Empowerment, Efficiency and Development) ka samarthan hoga.”
What is basic aim of Waqf Bill?
The Union Minister further said the basic aim of this Bill is to bring in reforms and proper management of Waqf properties. “The basic mantra of this bill is to bring transparency and accountability. Because between 2013-25 this law was in the wrong direction, it has caused great harm to the Muslim brothers. The land mafia has made a lot of money out of it,” said Nadda.
“A lot of discussions have been held over this. We get to hear that some are trying to ‘bulldoze’ the vision that PM Modi has put forth through this Bill. As the National President of the party, I oppose this narrative. Under PM Modi’s leadership, the government is moving forward with democratic reforms,” he said.
“It is said in Courts, ‘When you have got arguments, you are contended and you speak accordingly, and when you are lacking arguments, you raise your voice and try to sensationalise’. I saw that the debate was derailed and deviated. I saw this in Lok Sabha too yesterday…,” he said.
What types of land can Waqf not take?
During the Rajya Sabha debate, the BJP chief criticised the existing Waqf law for preventing citizens from challenging the Waqf Board’s decisions in court. He referred to a Supreme Court observation, stating that infringing on a person’s property is equivalent to attacking their right to life.
Nadda further said that under the new legislation, Waqf cannot take over properties under the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI), historical or religious monuments, or tribal land.
Also Read: Mamata Banerjee slams BJP over Waqf Bill, vows to nullify it when new govt is formed at Centre
Also Read: Sonia Gandhi after Waqf Bill passed in Lok Sabha: ‘It is a brazen assault on Constitution’
