The Waqf Amendment Bill has cleared its final parliamentary hurdle, having been passed in the Rajya Sabha on Thursday afternoon following a prolonged and heated debate. The bill received 128 votes in favour and 95 against, marking a significant moment in the ongoing legislative agenda of the central government.
The bill was passed in the Lok Sabha late on Wednesday night, after a debate that stretched for more than 12 hours. In that session, 520 Members of Parliament participated in the voting process, with 288 voting in favour and 232 opposing the bill. The India Alliance parties registered strong resistance and raised multiple concerns during the debate.
The Rajya Sabha took up the bill on Thursday, where discussions again ran deep into the night. After a similarly intense 12-hour deliberation, the bill was passed at 2:33 PM with a clear majority.
With approval from both houses of Parliament now secured, the Waqf Amendment Bill will be sent to the President of India for assent. Once the President signs the bill and a notification is issued, the new provisions will come into legal effect.
The bill has stirred political controversy, particularly among opposition parties aligned with the India Alliance, who expressed concerns about the bill’s implications on community rights and the management of Waqf properties. While the government maintained that the amendments are aimed at improving transparency and governance, opposition members argued that it could lead to increased central control and reduced local autonomy.
As the nation awaits the President’s assent, political observers are closely watching for any legal challenges or public reactions that may follow the bill’s implementation.