Waqf Bill gets Prez assent

New Delhi: President Droupadi Murmu has given assent to the Waqf (Amendment) Bill, 2025, as announced by the Law Ministry in a notification dated April 5 (Saturday). The Bill was recently cleared by the Parliament after intense and lengthy debates in both the Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha.
The landmark legislation has triggered a storm of debate, with its constitutionality being challenged in the Supreme Court by AIMIM (All India Majlis-e-Ittehadul Muslimeen) chief Asaduddin Owaisi and Congress Parliamentarian Mohammad Javed.
The government, however, has firmly refuted allegations that the amended law encroaches upon the religious practices of Muslims.
In a decisive intervention during the Lok Sabha proceedings, Home Minister Amit Shah elucidated the essence of the legislation.
He laid emphasis that Waqf, a sacred charitable endowment, and the waqif, or donor, are inherently rooted in the Muslim community.
The inclusion of non-Muslims in Waqf Boards or Councils, he clarified, is solely for administrative purposes, ensuring that every waqf donation is utilised for its “intended noble” cause.
Dispelling fears and addressing concerns, HM Shah said: “There is a deliberate attempt to sow confusion, suggesting that this law encroaches upon religious practices or alters the sanctity of donations.”
The Union Home Minister said that such baseless fear-mongering, is a “calculated ploy” to manipulate public sentiment and “create a vote bank”.
He further distinguished between the spiritual sanctity of Waqf and the administrative nature of Waqf Boards, asserting: “Waqf, as a charitable endowment,” remains a religious institution. However, Waqf Boards and Councils are administrative entities, “devoid of religious connotations”.
This legislation, while stirring intense debate, underscores the government’s resolve to uphold constitutional principles while ensuring transparency and accountability in the administration of charitable endowments, the Union Minister said.
It marks a pivotal moment in the nation’s legislative journey, reflecting a delicate balance between tradition and modern governance, he had clarified.
The Parliament in the early hours on Friday (April 4) approved the Waqf (Amendment) Bill, 2025 after a lengthy and intense discussion in the Rajya Sabha which saw the Bill getting nod in the Upper House by a majority of 128 votes against 95 — just a day after it was passed in the Lok Sabha following a marathon debate that continued for almost 12 hours.