Waqf Amendment Bill violation of right to religion: J&K Assembly Speaker
Jammu and Kashmir Assembly Speaker Abdul Rahim Rather on Thursday said that the Waqf (Amendment) Bill of 2025 is a violation of the right to religion and stated that was not right to interfere in someone’s personal laws.
“I think the Waqf Bill which has been passed by the Lok Sabha on Wednesday is a violation of the right to religion under Article 25. It is not appropriate to interfere in someone’s personal laws,” Rather told reporters here, expressing concern over the consequences of the new Bill.
Replying to a query, he said, “Our (Jammu and Kashmir) Assembly can’t do anything about it as a law passed by the Parliament can only be revoked by the Parliament and can’t not revoked by any assembly. Therefore we have a limited role in it”.
On the impact of the new Bill on the Waqf-owned properties in the Union Territory of Jammu and Kashmir, Rather said, “It is going to have an impact. It is natural. Therefore, I am stating it is an interference”.
The bill introduces reforms such as strengthening Waqf tribunals, setting fixed tenures for board members, and reducing mandatory contributions from Waqf institutions to boards from 7 per cent to 5 per cent. It also mandates audits for institutions earning over Rs one lakh and establishes a centralized portal for property management.
The Bill has ignited criticism, with the All India Muslim Personal Law Board (AIMPLB) previously staging demonstrations in New Delhi on March 17, demanding the bill’s withdrawal.
On Wednesday, the Lok Sabha passed the Waqf Amendment Bill 2025 after a marathon and heated debate, during which members of the INDIA bloc fiercely opposed the legislation while the BJP and its allies strongly supported it, saying it would bring transparency and enhance the efficiency of Waqf boards.
The Lower House of Parliament sat beyond midnight to pass the legislation. Speaker Om Birla later announced the division’s result. “Subject to correction, Ayes 288, Noes 232. The majority is in favour of the proposal,” he said.
The government introduced the revised bill after incorporating the recommendations of the Joint Parliamentary Committee, which examined the legislation introduced in August last year. 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.
Meanwhile, Union Parliamentary Affairs Kiren Rijiju today moved a motion for consideration of the Waqf (Amendment) Bill of 2025 and the Musalmaan Wakf (Repeal) Bill in the Rajya Sabha.
Waqf Bill assault on Constitution, will fight it on every forum: CPI(M)
Calling the Waqf (Amendment) Bill an assault on the Constitution, CPI(M) leader Brinda Karat said on Thursday that her party will use all available fora to fight against it.
Addressing a press conference on the sidelines of the 24th party congress here, the Communist Party of India (Marxist) leader reiterated the party’s strong opposition to the Bill. “We believe it is an assault on the Constitution of India,” Karat said.
She said if the issue was just about the Waqf Board’s functioning, reforms could have been introduced in consultation with the Muslim community. “The BJP is raising a bulldozer against the believers of Islam. Even though it may use its majority in Parliament to push this, we will use every forum available to fight against this assault on the Constitution,” she said.
Karat emphasised that the CPI(M) does not see Hindutva as a factor in isolation, but it also has a pro-corporate agenda, and the party is opposed to attacks on any minority groups.
Asked about Wayanad MP Priyanka Gandhi Vadra’s absence in the Lok Sabha during the debate and voting on the Bill, Karat said, it is for the Congress leader to answer. “You will have to ask Priyanka Gandhi. It is for everyone, the constituents (of the UDF), to see that she was not there. It is for her to answer,” she said.
Priyanka Gandhi’s absence in the Lok Sabha during a debate on the Waqf (Amendment) Bill has been criticised by Left leaders from Kerala.
Bill aimed at marginalising Muslims: Rahul Gandhi
Leader of Opposition in Lok Sabha, Rahul Gandhi strongly criticised the Waqf (Amendment) Bill, calling it a tool to marginalise Muslims and undermine their property rights and personal laws.
In a post on X, the Congress leader accused the RSS and BJP of attacking the Constitution, warning that the move could set a precedent for targeting other communities. He asserted that the bill violates Article 25, which guarantees the Right to Freedom of Religion.
Despite a heated 12-hour debate, the Lok Sabha passed the bill late at night, with 288 votes in favor and 232 against. All amendments proposed by the opposition were rejected through voice votes.
Minority Affairs Minister Kiren Rijiju tabled the Waqf (Amendment) Bill, 2025 in the Rajya Sabha on Thursday, asserting that the proposed legislation is not against Muslims or intended to hurt their religious feelings, but seeks to improve the functioning of Waqf properties, address complexities, ensure transparency and introduce technology-driven management.
The Lok Sabha passed the Bill by a 288-232 vote in the early hours of Thursday, after nearly 12 hours of debate.
PM’s historic vision for ‘Sab Ka Saath, Sab Ka Vikaas’: Chugh on Waqf Bill
Srinagar, Apr 03: Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) general secretary Tarun Chugh on Thursday hailed the Waqf Amendment Bill as a historic step taken by the Modi government to streamline the Waqf properties in the country.
Such a visionary step would go a long way to complete the mission of “Sab Ka Saath, Sabka Vikaas”, he said in a statement issued here.
Accusing the INDI alliance of always playing vote politics of appeasement, Chugh said the new bill will open new windows of development and shed the age-old legacy of poor management of the Waqf properties by real estate gangsters.
Bill imposes govt control over Waqf properties: NC
Srinagar, Apr 03: National Conference (NC) Chief Spokesperson, Tanvir Sadiq on Thursday vehemently condemned the Waqf (Amendment) bill, saying that it directly opposes the interests of Muslims in the country.
Addressing the media at the party headquarters Nawa-e-Subha here, Sadiq said the people of Jammu and Kashmir, as a Muslim majority region, are strongly against this bill. He said that it not only violates their religious sentiments but also undermines their rights over Waqf properties.
“It is detrimental to the Muslim community, as it imposes government control over our waqf properties. This is unacceptable to us,” he declared, adding that the party and all right-thinking individuals will democratically and peacefully oppose the bill.
Advocating for a debate on the issue in the J&K assembly, Tanvir revealed that he has submitted a private members bill to the speaker to discuss the implications of the waqf bill in the region.
The NC Chief Spokesperson also circulated the bill to all members of the legislative assembly, seeking their support for the discussion on a matter that “directly impacts the religious properties of the majority community”, according to the party statement. He expressed hope that the speaker will allow discussions on the bill during the upcoming session on the seventh of April.
When questioned about the emergency meeting of legislators called by the Chief Minister, Sadiq said the Prime Minister and other central leaders in Delhi have praised the mandate of the people of Jammu and Kashmir.
He said no one has the right to disregard this mandate. “We demand that the elected government be allowed to function without interference. As for the agenda of the meeting, it will be clarified tomorrow,” he added.
‘Transparency is good for Muslims’: J&K JD(U) president
Srinagar, Apr 03: A day after the Lok Sabha passed the Waqf (Amendment) Bill 2025, Jammu and Kashmir JD(U) president GM Shaheen highlighted that transparency is good for the Muslims of the country and alleged that many properties of Waqf and Dargah’s (shrine) were converted into five-star hotels especially in Jharkhand.
He also alleged that people “built homes with the money” of the Waqf. “Transparency is good for the Muslims of the country, especially for those people who were deprived of it…There were many properties of Waqf and Dargah’s that were converted into five-star hotels especially in Jharkhand…At least, the money should remain in coffers and not get looted,” Shaheen told ANI.
“People who built homes with this money. An end should be put to it. We people were deeming it essential to bring transparency,” he said.
BJP’s Giriraj accuses Congress of appeasement
New Delhi, Apr 03: Union minister Giriraj Singh on Thursday launched a scathing attack on Congress regarding the Waqf Amendment Bill, using a Hindi proverb to criticise the party’s past actions.
Singh pointed out that Congress had previously transferred 123 properties in Lutyens’ Delhi to the Waqf in a single day, describing this move as a clear indication of the party’s history of appeasement.
Speaking to media, Singh said, “There is a saying ‘100 choohe kha kar billi Haj ko chali’. In 2013, ahead of elections, they gave away 123 properties in Lutyens’ Delhi to Waqf overnight. This shows who crosses the limits of appeasement, who writes a black chapter.”
‘Brazen assault’ on Constitution: Sonia Gandhi
New Delhi, Apr 03: Congress Parliamentary Party (CPP) chairperson Sonia Gandhi on Thursday launched a blistering attack on the BJP-led Union Government after the Waqf Amendment Bill was passed in the Lok Sabha, stating that this bill is a “brazen assault” on the Constitution and is BJP’s strategy to keep society in a state of “permanent polarisation.”
“Yesterday, the Waqf Amendment Bill, 2024 was passed in the Lok Sabha, and today it is scheduled to come up in the Rajya Sabha. The bill was in effect bulldozed through. Our party’s position is clear. The Bill is a brazen assault on the Constitution itself. It is very much part of the BJP’s deliberate strategy to keep our society in a state of permanent polarization,” Sonia Gandhi said.
The Lok Sabha passed the Waqf Amendment Bill 2025 after a marathon and heated debate. During this debate, members of the INDIA bloc fiercely opposed the legislation, while the BJP and its allies strongly supported it, saying it would bring transparency and enhance the efficiency of Waqf boards.
The House sat beyond midnight to pass the legislation. Speaker Om Birla later announced the division’s result. “Subject to correction, Ayes 288, Noes 232. The majority is in favour of the proposal,” he said.
The government introduced the revised bill after incorporating the recommendations of the Joint Parliamentary Committee, which examined the legislation introduced in August last year. 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.
Waqf Amendment Act a landmark step for transparency: BJP’s Pathania
Jammu, Apr 03: Member of Legislative Assembly (MLA) Udhampur East and BJP spokesperson, Ranbir Singh Pathania on Thursday elaborated on the various benefits of the Waqf Amendment Act, which was passed by the Parliament on the last day of the session.
In a statement, Pathania said, “The amendment is a landmark step which corrects historical wrongs and acts towards ensuring greater transparency, accountability and better management of Waqf properties.”
He said the new provisions will safeguard the interests of the Muslim community by streamlining property records, preventing encroachments and ensuring that Waqf assets are utilised for the rightful beneficiaries, including education, healthcare and social welfare.
“The Act will eliminate irregularities and bring Waqf management under a structured legal framework, ultimately benefiting the people of India, particularly the Muslim community,” he said.
Pathania urged BJP cadres to actively participate in and ensure the success of the party’s Foundation Day celebrations on April 6. “This day marks the founding of the BJP, which has emerged as the largest political party in the world and a symbol of nationalism, good governance and development,” he said.
The BJP spokesperson also called for a massive mobilization on April 14 to commemorate the birth anniversary of Dr Bhimrao Ambedkar. “Dr Ambedkar’s contributions to the Constitution and social justice are monumental, and celebrating his legacy holds immense significance for the BJP, particularly in Jammu & Kashmir, where the party remains committed to the empowerment of marginalized communities,” he said.
