Waqf Bill: On Wednesday, the Lok Sabha passed the Waqf (Amendment) Bill, 2025 amid strong opposition from various opposition parties. A total of 288 MPs voted in favour of the bill, while 232 voted against it.
During the discussion, opposition MPs proposed over 100 amendments against the bill, but all were rejected during voting. The government argued that if the Waqf Amendment Bill had not been introduced, several buildings, including the Parliament House, could have come under the Delhi Waqf Board.
It also said that if the waqf properties had been managed properly during the Congress rule, it would have changed the fate of not only Muslims but the entire country.
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Rajya Sabha Test for Waqf Bill
After being passed in the Lok Sabha, the Waqf Amendment Bill will be introduced in the Rajya Sabha on Thursday. However, the central government is unlikely to face major hurdles in the Upper House.
The NDA will get support from its allies including the JD(U), TDP, Shiv Sena (Eknath Shinde faction) and NCP. Parliamentary Affairs and Minority Affairs Minister Kiren Rijiju will introduce the Waqf Amendment Bill in the Rajya Sabha today at 1 pm.
What’s the Numbers Game in Rajya Sabha?
Talking about the upper house of Parliament, the Rajya Sabha currently has 236 members. The BJP has 98 seats, while the NDA has a total of 115. If the six nominated members, who usually vote in favour of the government, are included, the NDA has 121 members, which is two more than the 119 votes needed to pass a bill.
The Congress has 27 members, while other India Bloc allies have 58, taking the total strength of the opposition to 85. Besides, the YSR Congress has nine MPs, the BJD has seven and the AIADMK has four members in the Rajya Sabha. There are also three members from smaller parties and independents who are not affiliated to either the ruling coalition or the opposition.
The Waqf Amendment Bill has already been passed in the Lok Sabha. A total of 464 votes were cast, with 288 in favour and 232 against. The bill was debated for over 12 hours in the Lower House, where Parliamentary Affairs Minister Kiren Rijiju and opposition MPs presented their arguments.
Now this bill will be introduced in the Rajya Sabha. After being passed, it will be sent to the President for approval.
Also Read: After Armed Forces and Railways, Waqf Board Owns the Most Land— State-Wise Breakdown
