Waqf Amendment Bill Live Updates: Budget Session concludes; both houses adjourned sine die

Union minister Kiren Rijiju says, "Sonia Gandhi is a senior leader; I don't want to comment on her. Yesterday, during the parliamentary party meeting of Congress, a statement was released that the Bill (the Waqf Amendment Act) was passed forcefully and bulldozing (the procedures). I just clarified and told the amount of effort that has been put into that... We created a record of the discussion. There has never been this much discussion in the parliamentary history."

"One important milestone that we have achieved in Rajya Sabha, yesterday - we created a new record - we discussed for 17 hours and 2 minutes in Rajya Sabha (over the Waqf Amendment Bill). It seems extremely difficult to break this record... There was not a single disruption during the discussion over the Waqf amendment Bill," he added.

Congress MP Shashi Tharoor said, "Today once again, Parliament has been adjourned sine die even though this afternoon was going to be our last opportunity to present Private Member's Bills. It is unprecedented in the history of Parliament that no Private Member's Bills have been introduced since last year July."

"Parliament does not exist only for the government to pursue its agenda. It also exists for the members to be able to raise issues of importance to their constituencies, to their voters and to the larger national conversation," he added.

Rajya Sabha was adjourned sine die on Friday, bringing an end to the Budget Session that began on January 31, 2025. In his concluding remarks at the end of the 267th session of the Rajya Sabha, Chairman Jagdeep Dhankhar said that the House passed key legislations, including the Waqf Amendment Bill, and discussed several important issues during its sittings.

"The productivity of this session stood at 119 per cent. On April 3, 2025, the Rajya Sabha began proceedings and etched its name in the annals of legislative history with an unprecedented sitting from 11 am on that day until 4.02 am the following day, ie, this day, the longest in its history," Dhankhar said.

He added, "This would send a very great message to the people at large and enhance belief in this great institution."

Lok Sabha adjourned sine die amidst protests by Congress and its allies over ruling of speaker Om Birla against remarks on Congress President Mallikarjuna Kharge, who had said in the Rajya Sabha that the waqf legislation had been “bulldozed”.

Rajya Sabha adjourned till 1 pm after treasury benches raise slogans over SC invalidating teachers' jobs in West Bengal.

Congress MP Gaurav Gogoi says, "India's economic situation is in danger, but PM Modi is quiet over tariffs by the US. That's why the entire opposition is protesting over this in the Parliament, urging the prime minister to break his silence over this. The American tariffs will adversely affect the agricultural sector, small industries and other sectors."

Lok Sabha proceedings were adjourned till 12 noon amid high-pitched protest by treasury benches over remarks by Congress leader Sonia Gandhi against the government.

As soon as the House met for the day, members from the treasury benches started raising slogans such as "Sonia Gandhi maafi maango" (Sonia Gandhi apologise) over her remarks against the government.

The opposition benches too raised slogans, demanding answers from the government over US tariff imposition.

Speaker Om Birla adjourned the House within minutes till 12 noon.

Hours after the Lok Sabha passed the Waqf Amendment Bill, Gandhi said the Bill was "bulldozed" through in the lower house.

Union Minister Giriraj Singh addressed concerns regarding Parliament's approval of the Waqf legislation. He stated, "Those who tried to spread rumours about CAA, the same people are spreading rumours about this (Waqf Bill). No one's citizenship was taken away, and this bill will benefit the poor Muslims and the women." He emphasised that the legislation aims to support underprivileged Muslim communities and enhance women's welfare.

Parliament's approval for the Waqf (Amendment) Bill, 2025 ends years of injustice and corruption, ushering in an era of justice and equality, Union Home Minister Amit Shah said on Friday. Shah's comments came hours after the Rajya Sabha gave its nod to the bill. The Lok Sabha approved the bill on Thursday.

"Today is a historic day, when Parliament has approved the 'Waqf (Amendment) Bill, 2025', ending the era of years of injustice and corruption and ushering in an era of justice and equality," he wrote on 'X' in Hindi.

The home minister said through the bill, the Waqf Board and Waqf properties are going to be more accountable, transparent and equitable and this will benefit the poor, women and children of the Muslim community.

"I congratulate the Prime Minister Shri @narendramodi and the Minister of Minority Affairs Shri @KirenRijiju for this important bill that gives justice to crores of people. Also, I express my heartfelt gratitude to all the parties and MPs who supported it," he added.

Police authorities have heightened security measures in vulnerable areas of southeast Delhi, particularly Jamia Nagar and educational institutions, including Jamia Millia Islamia, following the passage of the controversial Waqf (Amendment) Bill.

Officials confirmed this development on Friday, stating that Delhi Police and paramilitary forces have strengthened their presence across multiple sensitive locations.

"To maintain law and order at multiple sensitive areas, we have intensified night patrolling and additional deployment will be arranged," a senior police officer said.

The legislation was approved by Parliament in the early hours of Friday, prompting authorities to enhance security protocols to prevent any potential disturbances.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi celebrated the Parliament's approval of the Waqf (Amendment) Bill, describing it as a significant achievement in advancing socio-economic fairness, openness, and comprehensive development.

He emphasised its importance for individuals who have historically been marginalised.

Through posts on X, he highlighted how the Waqf system had previously lacked clarity and responsibility, particularly affecting Muslim women, economically disadvantaged Muslims, and Pasmanda Muslims.

He 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."

The Prime Minister indicated that India would progress towards a more contemporary and socially conscious framework.

"On a larger note, we remain committed to prioritising the dignity of every citizen. This is also how we build a stronger, more inclusive and more compassionate India,” he added.

Rajya Sabha was adjourned at 4 am on Friday after a 17-hour sitting. It will meet again later in the day at 11 am. Before adjourning the proceedings, chairman Jagdeep Dhankhar said it was a "rare occasion" that the House is dispersing at 4.02 am to meet again at 11 am on the same day.

The House had assembled at 11 am on Thursday (April 3) and took up the scheduled Zero Hour and Question Hour.

At 1 pm on Thursday, it took up the Waqf (Amendment) Bill, 2025. It was passed at around 2.30 pm on Friday.

The House then passed a statutory resolution moved by Union home minister Amit Shah on the imposition of President's Rule in Manipur.

Chhattisgarh CM Vishnu Deo Sai lauded the passage of the Waqf (Amendment) Bill, saying the legislation will prevent the illegal occupation of tribal land and protect the interest of the scheduled tribes.

In a series of posts on his 'X' handle, Sai accused the opposition of constantly trying to mislead the Muslim community on the Waqf (Amendment) Bill and said it was highly condemnable.

The Parliament has approved the Waqf (Amendment) Bill, 2025, after the Rajya Sabha gave its nod to the contentious legislation following an over 13-hour debate.

The Bill was passed in the Rajya Sabha with 128 members voting in favour and 95 opposing it. It passed in the Lok Sabha early Thursday, with 288 members supporting it and 232 against it.

"Congratulations on the passage of the Waqf (Amendment) Bill in both Houses of the Parliament. The Bill is also important to protect tribal rights and their interests," he wrote.

He further alleged, "The opposition has constantly tried to mislead the Muslim community on the Waqf (Amendment) Bill. It is highly condemnable. This Bill is not against any religion but strengthens the values of justice and equality. It is in the interest of poor minorities."

The Grand Mufti of Jammu and Kashmir, Mufti Nasir-ul-Islam, has expressed opposition to the Waqf (Amendment) Bill 2025, declaring it detrimental to Muslim interests.

He acknowledged the significant opposition to the bill, highlighting that 232 members voted against it. The Grand Mufti indicated that they are considering legal recourse through the Supreme Court.

"This bill is against the Muslims... A law which already existed has been amended... This bill is a betrayal of Muslims. And because of this betrayal, there is chaos among them... We have decided to go to the Supreme Court. Considering the sentiments of the Muslims, it should be noted that 232 members were against it. It is a huge number, and their point cannot be ignored... We will go to the Supreme Court soon, but first, we will decide amongst ourselves how we will move forward... We will do it on a large scale...," Islam told ANI.

Parliament approved the Waqf (Amendment) Bill, 2025, following the Rajya Sabha's approval after an extensive 13-hour deliberation. Opposition parties strongly criticised the legislation as "anti-Muslim" and "unconstitutional", whilst the government defended it as a "historic reform" aimed at benefiting the minority community.

The voting results showed 128 members supporting and 95 opposing the Bill in the Rajya Sabha. Earlier on Thursday, the Lok Sabha had passed it with 288 votes in favour and 232 against.

Additionally, Parliament cleared the Mussalman Wakf (Repeal) Bill, 2025, receiving approval from both houses.

During the discussions, Union Minority Affairs Minister Kiren Rijiju criticised the Congress and other opposition parties for allegedly causing fear amongst the Muslim community regarding the Bill. He emphasised the government's commitment to 'Sabka Saath, Sabka Vikas'.

Rijiju said the Waqf Board is a statutory body and, as such, like all government bodies, it should be secular. He said the inclusion of a few non-Muslims on the Waqf Board would not alter the decisions of the body and instead would add value.

Lok Sabha passed the controversial Waqf (Amendment) Bill, 2025, following a debate that lasted over 12 hours. While the ruling NDA defended the bill as beneficial for minorities, the opposition strongly criticised it, calling it "anti-Muslim.

"The bill was approved after all amendments proposed by opposition members were rejected through voice votes. It was passed by a division of votes, with 288 in favor and 232 against.Key provisions of the Waqf (Amendment) Bill include strengthening Waqf tribunals, implementing a structured selection process, and setting a fixed tenure to enhance dispute resolution efficiency.

The bill reduces the mandatory contribution of Waqf institutions to Waqf boards from 7 per cent to 5 per cent. Additionally, Waqf institutions earning over Rs 1 lakh will be subject to audits by state-appointed auditors.