NEW DELHI: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday praised the passage of the Waqf (Amendment) Bill, 2025 in both Houses of Parliament, calling it a “watershed moment” for transparency, social justice, and inclusive growth.
The contentious legislation was cleared after extensive debate, with the Rajya Sabha passing the bill after a 13-hour-long discussion, securing 128 votes in favor and 95 against. Earlier, the Lok Sabha had passed the bill with 288 members supporting and 232 opposing.
In a post on X (formerly Twitter), Prime Minister Modi stated:
“The passage of the Waqf (Amendment) Bill and the Mussalman Wakf (Repeal) Bill by both Houses of Parliament marks a watershed moment in our collective quest for socio-economic justice, transparency, and inclusive growth. This will particularly help those who have long remained on the margins, thus being denied both voice and opportunity.”
The Prime Minister expressed gratitude to Parliamentarians for their active participation in the discussions and acknowledged the contributions made by the public during the Parliamentary committee’s review of the bill.
Highlighting past issues with the waqf system, Modi remarked:
“For decades, the Waqf system was synonymous with a lack of transparency and accountability. This especially harmed the interests of Muslim women, poor Muslims, and Pasmanda Muslims. The legislations passed by Parliament will boost transparency and safeguard people’s rights.”
He added that the reforms would usher in a modern, justice-oriented framework:
“We will now enter an era where the framework will be more modern and sensitive to social justice. On a larger note, we remain committed to prioritizing the dignity of every citizen. This is also how we build a stronger, more inclusive, and more compassionate India.”
Opposition Criticism and Political Tensions
The bill faced strong resistance from the INDIA bloc, with parties including the Congress, TMC, DMK, and others labeling it “anti-Muslim” and “unconstitutional.” Opposition leaders alleged that the legislation paves the way for corporate encroachment on Muslim community assets.
Despite the backlash, the government also successfully pushed through the Mussalman Wakf (Repeal) Bill, 2025, a complementary piece of legislation aimed at overhauling the waqf legal framework.
In defending the bill, the government described it as a “historic reform” intended to benefit the minority community, enhance transparency, and promote equitable development. Modi reiterated that the measures aim to “build a stronger, more inclusive, and more compassionate India.”
