bharatrends

BREAKING: Late-Night Drama! Rajya Sabha Passes Historic Waqf Amendment Bill at 2:35 AM

Pranav Guggari

Well, this was intense! Just a day after the Lok Sabha approved it, the Rajya Sabha also passed the historic Waqf Amendment Bill—but not without some serious debate. It all went down in the early hours of April 3-4, when, after a heated discussion, the bill was passed with 128 votes in favor and 95 against.

The government, in an attempt to rebrand the bill, proposed renaming it to something more hopeful: “Unified Waqf Management Empowerment, Efficiency, and Development” (UMEED) Bill—which, by the way, means “hope” in Hindi. Sounds promising, right? But let’s break it down and see what it really means.

So, What’s the Big Deal?

Well, I think it can be summed up simply—this bill is all about changing how Waqf properties are managed. Now, you might be wondering, what on earth is a Waqf property? Basically, it means lands, buildings, or assets that are donated for religious or charitable purposes in Islam. These properties are supposed to be used for the community’s benefit, but over time, managing them has become a big mess.

Now, this new law is stepping in, and the government says it’s all about bringing more transparency, efficiency, and better management.

What Did the Minister Say?

Kiren Rijiju, the Minister of Minority Affairs, was the one who introduced the bill in the Rajya Sabha. And guess what? He made it very clear—

“This bill is NOT against Muslims. It doesn’t hurt religious sentiments. It just aims to improve the management of Waqf properties and solve existing complications.”

Okay, that sounds fair, but is that really all there is to it?

But Wait—Why Was There a Heated Debate?

Well, not everyone was convinced. Some opposition members weren’t happy and felt the bill might have hidden motives. They questioned why the government was rushing it through without a more detailed discussion.

Despite all the opposition, the bill got enough votes to pass.

Why Is This Even Happening?

Okay, let’s break this down even more—back in 2004, India had 4.9 lakh (490,000) Waqf properties. Now, in 2025? That number has shot up to 8.72 lakh (872,000)! That’s almost double in just 20 years. Managing all of these properties efficiently is a nightmare right now.

So, the government is saying, “Look, previous administrations didn’t fix this mess. We’re doing it now.”

What Changes Does This Bill Bring?

Alright, so here’s the simple version:

  1. More Oversight: The government wants stricter control over how Waqf properties are used.
  2. Tech-Based Management: Expect things like digital records and online tracking of properties.
  3. Inclusion of All Muslim Communities: They say it’s not just for one group—all sects should have a say.
  4. Excluding Certain Properties: Lands owned by Defense and Railways are not included in Waqf anymore.

Basically, it means that this bill is all about control—who manages these properties and how they’re used.

Should You Be Worried?

Well, I think it can be looked at in two ways—

  1. If everything goes as promised, Waqf properties will be better managed, properly maintained, and free from corruption. Sounds like a win!
  2. But if there’s hidden political drama, this bill could mean more government interference in religious institutions.

As always, the truth will reveal itself over time.

Exit mobile version