Minority Affairs Minister Kiren Rijiju Emphasizes Benefit to Underprivileged Muslims, Criticizes Opposition Stance
New Delhi, April 2, 2025: After nearly 12 hours of debate, the Lok Sabha on Wednesday night passed the Waqf (Amendment) Bill, 2025, aimed at improving the management of Muslim charitable properties across India. The bill was approved after a division of votes, with 288 members voting in favor and 232 against. All amendments proposed by the opposition were rejected.
Enhanced Transparency in Waqf Property Management
Addressing the Lok Sabha, Union Minister for Minority Affairs Kiren Rijiju highlighted that the amendment bill introduces mandatory documentation for properties to be declared as Waqf, replacing the earlier practice of mere oral declarations. Rijiju noted that currently only a small percentage of Waqf properties are used effectively for charitable purposes, stressing that the new law would help optimize utilization of these assets.
“This historic day will be remembered by the underprivileged and backward Muslims of India, who will benefit significantly from this legislation. They will appreciate Prime Minister Narendra Modi for this positive change,” Rijiju said during his concluding remarks.
Opposition Criticized Over Constitutional Objections
Responding sharply to the opposition’s claims about the bill being unconstitutional, Minister Rijiju said, “They accuse the government of being unconstitutional without presenting a valid rationale. I have lost hope that the opposition will understand the reality.”
He emphasized that the amendments purely address property management issues, explicitly stating the bill has no religious connotations. Rijiju accused opposition parties of misleading the Muslim community by treating them merely as a vote bank.
Unified Legislation to Streamline Waqf Management
The newly passed Waqf (Amendment) Bill, officially titled the Unified Waqf Management Empowerment Efficiency and Development Bill (UMEED Bill), will replace outdated legislation, namely the Muslim Waqf (Repeal) Bill, 2025. The act, referred to in Hindi as the “Ekikrit Waqf Prabandhan, Sashaktikaran, Dakshata aur Vikas Adhiniyam,” seeks unified and efficient management of Waqf properties nationwide.
Minister Rijiju further underscored India’s secular ethos, stating, “Minorities in India enjoy unparalleled safety due to the secular mindset of the majority community, which continues to ensure communal harmony and protection.”
Bhupendra Singh Chundawat is a seasoned technology journalist with over 22 years of experience in the media industry. He specializes in covering the global technology landscape, with a deep focus on manufacturing trends and the geopolitical impact on tech companies. Currently serving as the Editor at Udaipur Kiran, his insights are shaped by decades of hands-on reporting and editorial leadership in the fast-evolving world of technology.