The most controversial piece of legislation-the waqf Amendment bill 2024 which went through the joint parliamentary committee had earlier got the nod from it. Now on 2nd of April 2025 Wednesday the waqf amendment bill has been tabled in the Lok Sabha and there has been an intense and stormy debate and ruckus in the lower house and both NDA as well as INDI block has issued whip to their MPs to remain present in the house for three days. While NDA/BJP is optimistic to get the waqf bill passed, INDI block is out rightly opposing the bill and will start agitation if the waqf bill is passed in the parliament. There was pandemonium, exchange of words, verbal duel and heated exchanges between the NDA MP’s and those of the opposition block and amid ruckus and highly surcharged atmosphere Lok Sabha passes the waqf amendment bill. There was no consensus on the bill and on voting 288 votes were polled in favour of the bill and 232 MP’s voted against the waqf amendment bill and thus at the end of the day amid extensive debate the controversial waqf amendment bill was passed in the parliament. Now it is to seen how will the waqf bill is passed in the upper house of the parliament. NDA is hopeful and optimistic about the bill also being passed in the Rajya Sabha. However the NDA also has the required number of MP’s in the upper house of the parliament and the controversial waqf amendment bill will also be passed in the Rajya Sabha. When passed in the Rajya Sabha it will be a great historical development and the passage of the bill will be the real triumph of democracy and the victory of the constitution. The bill will be in the interest of minorities and will protect and safeguard the minorities. The congress, SP, RJD, Communist parties are opposing this important piece of legislation but they cannot stall the passage of the waqf amendment bill in the Rajya Sabha. The controversial Waqf Amendment Bill having being passed in the Lok Sabha, the bill is set to be tabled in the Rajya Sabha and there also the chances of its passage are high and in all probability this bill will also get through in the upper house and after the passage of this bill in both the houses of parliament, it will go to the president for his assent and after getting assent from the president, the bill will become an act. After a 12-hour long debate and voting process that lasted 1.49 hours, a contentious bill seeking to amend the existing Waqf laws was passed with 288-232 vote in Lok Sabha which saw ruling BJP and the opposition locking horns by accusing each other of indulging in vote bank politics. Sixty MP’s as well as Home Minister Amit Shah participated in the debate that started a little after 12 noon on Wednesday and ended at 12.06 am on Thursday with Minorities Affairs Minister Kiren Rijjiu, who piloted the bill, replying to the discussions. The voting on the bill started at 12.07 am and ended at 1.56 AM. All four amendments seeking changes in Waqf Amendment Bill, including excluding tribal land and protected monuments from the ambit of Waqf bill moved by the government were accepted by a voice vote while amendments moved by the Opposition were negated with one going to vote. Among other things, the bill proposes that only a person practicing Islam for the five years can donate property to Waqf and government properties cannot be declared Waqf property. The opposition insisted on division of votes on three occasions, including seeking permission for taking up the bill for passing, an amendment and the final passage of the bill. Opposition could not win any of the votes. The amendment against the inclusion of non-Muslim on Waqf bodies moved by RSP, MP NK premachandran was defeated by a 231-288 vote. The bill was passed by 288-231 vote. Opposition MP’s had submitted at least 132 amendments and none of them among those moved where accepted. Now the Waqf Amendment Bill ,2025 is set to be debated in Rajya Sabha on Thursday for passage. Once it is passed by the upper house, the bill will become law after the president gives her assent. While the bill brought the INDIA ,parties together after irritants had appeared in the bloc over its electoral reverses following the impressive Lok Sabha performance, the BJP also had a sigh of relief as critical allies like JDU, TDP and LJP (Ramvilas) made it clear that they will vote in favor of the Waqf Bill. The passage of the Waqf (Amendment) Bill, 2025, in the Rajya Sabha faces a complex landscape, with the bill’s fate hinging on the upcoming debates and voting, potentially involving voice votes, and the Rajya Sabha’s ability to review and amend the bill. The strength of the ruling party or coalition in the Rajya Sabha is crucial. A strong majority makes passage easier. The oppositions strategy, whether to support, oppose, or abstain, can significantly impact the outcome. Since the ruling party is a coalition, internal disagreements can arise, potentially hindering the passage of a bill. The Rajya Sabha acts as a revising chamber, reviewing legislation passed by the Lok Sabha and can suggest amendments or even reject the bill. The Rajya Sabha provides a platform for deeper discussions and debates, which can influence the final outcome. Despite backlash from Opposition, the controversial Waqf (Amendment) Bill was tabled by union minister Kiren Rijjiu for consideration was thoroughly debated and discussed in Lok Sabha and then passed in voting. In the Rajya Sabha ruling NDA has 125 MP’s and the necessary number to pass the legislation is 119 and so it will not be too much difficult for the NDA to get the Waqf (Amendment) Bill 2025 passed after the stormy debate and discussion. INDI bloc which is against the Waqf Bill has only 95 votes and on remaining 16 MP’s there is suspicion. Presently the intense debate and uproarious scenes are taking place in the upper house. But ultimately the controversial Waqf (Amendment) bill will get through in Rajya Sabha and the passage of this bill is very historical and the test of the united strength of the ruling NDA. In short it can be said that the prospects of the passage of the Waqf (Amendment) bill in the Rajya Sabha are not so dim but are good and the NDA will be successful at the end to get the bill passed in the upper house and the passage of the Waqf Bill will be a triumph of democracy and justice and it will help in the management of the Waqf properties and misuse of such properties will come to end and it will be a day of great success for not only the ruling dispensation NDA but will in fact be the triumph of the Muslim minority. As already remarked by the Home Minister Amit Shah, the Waqf (Amendment) Bill 2025 is not about the religion but is the bill related with the efficient management of the properties of the Waqf Board. The passage of the Waqf Bill will truly reflect the golden mantra of BJP which is appeasement to none and justice and equality for all.
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