'Nosays Kiren Regiju to the WAQF (Amendment) Bill of the Lok Sabha (Amendment), 2025 | Mint

The Lok Sabha early Thursday adopted the controversial WAQF (amendment) bill, 2025, after a 12-hour debate, which describes the ruling NDA as beneficial to minorities and the opposition as ‘anti-Muslim’. The bill was approved after all amendments moved by opposition members were rejected by voting votes. It was passed after a division of votes – 288 in favor and 232 against. In his reply to the debate, Minority Minister Kiren Rijiju said there was no place in the world safer than India for minorities, and they were safe because the majority were completely secular. He said that even a small minority community such as the parsis is safe in India and that all minorities live here with pride. “Some members said minorities are not safe in India. This statement is completely false. There is no place safer than India for minorities. I am also a minority and we all live here without fear and with pride,” he said after the debate on the bill. The minister said when a minority community faces prosecution, it always comes to India to resort and quoted the examples of the Dalai Lama and the Tibetan community, Pakistan minorities, Bangladesh, Afghanistan, Myanmar and Sri Lanka. ‘Minorities in Bangladesh, Pakistan and Afghanistan came to India after facing religious persecution in their respective countries. How can you say that minorities are not safe in India. Very, very wrong to say that. ‘ The coming generation will never forgive you. Minorities in India are safe because the majorities of the country are fully secular. This is not the case in Pakistan, Bangladesh and Afghanistan. But still, you are abusing us, “he said. Rijiju said through the Bill that the NDA government will unite all minorities in the country. He also emphasized the ‘wholehearted’ support of the Christian community for the bill. denied. Earlier, making an intervention in the debate, Union Home Minister AMIT Shah asserted that a Vote Bank was being created by intimidating minorities and confusion being spread in the name in the name of the waqf bill. “The Narendra Modi Government Runs on a very clear principle that we will not bring any law for Vote Bank because law is for justice and welfare of people,” He said, adding, “all have the right to follow their religion, but conversion cannot be done for greed.” Objectives. “The election was in 2014 and in 2013 the Extreme Waqf Act was made overnight with a view to the appreciation. Consequently, 123 Properties in the Delhi Luty Zone were handed to the Wakf, just 25 days before the election,” he said. He said that a voting bank is consolidated by intimidating minorities and being confused to stop fear of minorities. There was no provision earlier to include any non-Muslim among those who manage religious institutions, and the NDA government will not, he said. Congress MP Gaurav Gogoi said the India Bloc will oppose the proposed changes to the WAQF Act and call the bill an attack on the basic structure of the Constitution. He accused the government of being misleading parliament and referring to discussions on the matter. “This bill is an attack on the basic structure of our Constitution, an attack on our federal structure and has four primary objectives: to dilute the Constitution, to slander minority communities, divide the Indian society and to profane minorities,” he claimed. Akhilesh Yadav, head of the Samajwadi party, claimed that the bill was a BJP problem for polarization after the reverse in the 2024 Lok Sabha peelings. He claimed that the bill would send a wrong message to the world and dropped the country’s secular image. The bill will be a ‘Waterloo’ for the BJP, as some of its allies may claim to support the legislation, but inside they are not happy about it, he said. Asaduddin Owaisi, head of Aimim, participated in the debate, performed a symbolic protest march by tearing up a copy of the bill. Leader of opposition in Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi, in a post on X, called the Waqf Bill a weapon, aimed at marginalizing Muslims and using their personal laws and property rights. “This attack on the Constitution by the RSS, BJP and their allies is aimed at Muslims today, but sets a precedent to target other communities in the future,” he said. According to the WAQF (amendment) bill, WAQF tribunals will be strengthened, a structured selection process is maintained, and an term of office will be corrected to ensure effective dispute resolution. According to the bill, while WAQF institutions’ compulsory contribution to WAQF board of 7 percent to 5 percent is reduced, WAQF institutions that earn more than £ 1 Lakh will undergo audits by state-sponsored auditors. A centralized portal will automate WAQF property management, which improves efficiency and transparency. The bill suggests that the practice of Muslims (at least five years) could dedicate their property to the WAQF and restore the rules before 2013. It states that women should receive their heritage before the WAQF statement, with special terms for widows, divorced women and orphans. The bill suggests that an officer above the rank of the collector is investigating the government property that is claimed as WAQF. This bill is an attack on the basic structure of our Constitution. It also suggests that non-Muslim members are included in the central and state WAQF board for inclusivity. (With Pti inputs)