Government tables Waqf bill in Rajya Sabha
Union Minority Affairs Minister Kiren Rijiju moves motion for consideration of Waqf (Amendment) Bill in Rajya Sabha during the Budget session of Parliament, in New Delhi on April 3, 2025. Photo: Sansad TV via ANI
The Government has tabled the Waqf (Amendment) Bill, 2025 in the Rajya Sabha, despite opposition from various parties. The bill aims to empower Muslim women and protect the rights of all Muslim sects. Union Minority Affairs Minister Kiren Rijiju moved the motion for consideration of the bill in the Rajya Sabha during the Budget session of Parliament.
The Waqf bill has been a contentious issue, with opposition parties claiming that the government is trying to snatch away the rights of Muslims. However, Rijiju clarified that the bill is aimed at empowering Muslim women and protecting the rights of all Muslim sects.
Highlights of the Waqf bill:
- Empowers Muslim women to inherit assets of Waqf properties
- Protects the rights of all Muslim sects
- enable the Waqf Board to take possession of the property
- Authorizes the Waqf Board to appoint managing agents and trustees
The bill is expected to face opposition from various parties, including the main opposition party, the Indian National Congress. The bill has also been criticized by some human rights organizations, who claim that it will encourage the government to interfere in religious matters.
What’s next?
The bill is expected to be taken up for discussion and voting in the Rajya Sabha. The government has the majority in the House, so it is likely to pass the bill. However, the opposition parties are likely to continue to protest against the bill.
Government’s stance:
The government has defended the bill, saying that it is aimed at empowering Muslim women and protecting the rights of all Muslim sects. Union Minority Affairs Minister Kiren Rijiju has claimed that the bill is part of the government’s efforts to promote social justice and equality.
Opposition’s stance:
The opposition parties have criticized the bill, saying that it is an attempt by the government to snatch away the rights of Muslims. They have also claimed that the bill is unconstitutional and goes against the principles of secularism.
Conclusion:
The Waqf bill is a controversial issue, with the government and the opposition parties having different views on its implications. The bill is expected to be taken up for discussion and voting in the Rajya Sabha, and the government has the majority, so it is likely to pass the bill. However, the opposition parties are likely to continue to protest against the bill.
Keywords: Waqf bill, Rajya Sabha, Muslim women, Muslim sects, social justice, equality.
Hashtags: #WaqfBill #RajyaSabha #MuslimWomen #MuslimSects #SocialJustice #Equality
