Union Minister of Parliamentary Affairs Kiren Rijiju on Thursday moved a motion for the consideration of the Waqf (Amendment) Bill of 2025 and the Musalmaan Wakf (Repeal) Bill in the Rajya Sabha. In his address, Rijiju emphasized the importance of these bills in reforming the functioning of Waqf properties and institutions in the country.
In the early hours of Thursday, following a marathon debate that extended past midnight, the Lok Sabha passed the Waqf Amendment Bill with 288 votes in favor and 232 against.
Rijiju referred to the Sachar Committee report, which recommended broadening the Central Waqf Council and State Waqf Boards to make them more inclusive. He highlighted the growth in the number of Waqf properties, stating that in 2006, the Sachar Committee had estimated earnings from 4.9 lakh Waqf properties at Rs 12,000 crore. He noted that as of today, the number of Waqf properties has increased to 8.72 lakh, and the earnings have likely grown significantly.
“Imagine the income these properties must be generating now,” Rijiju said, while stressing that the Sachar Committee had also recommended steps for the benefit of women and children, along with the expansion of the Waqf bodies.
The minister also referred to a previous Joint Parliamentary Committee (JPC) report, headed by senior Congress leader K Rahman Khan, which raised concerns about the infrastructure and operational challenges faced by the Waqf boards. He pointed out that the committee had flagged issues such as insufficient manpower, lack of funds, and the excessive focus on the appointment or removal of the Mutawalli (manager of Waqf properties).
Rijiju appealed to the Congress and its allies to support the Waqf (Amendment) Bill, emphasizing that all the recommendations made by previous committees, including those led by the UPA and Congress, had been incorporated into the newly amended bill.
“These recommendations have been included in the newly amended bill. These committees were under UPA and Congress, so I appeal to Congress and its allies to support the Waqf Amendment Bill 2025,” Rijiju said.
Rijiju also mentioned that the Ministry of Minority Affairs had engaged with numerous stakeholders before preparing the bill. He revealed that 284 organizations across the country provided their opinions on the bill, and over one crore people submitted memorandums to register their feedback.
“The Joint Parliamentary Committee has done a comprehensive job, more than any other committee formed previously. In total, 284 organizations across different regions gave their opinions, and over one crore people submitted memorandums. This is historic,” Rijiju added.
(With ANI inputs)
