The Waqf Amendment Bill was passed in the Lok Sabha after a 12-hour debate. It received 288 votes in favor and 232 against. Now, the bill is being discussed in the Rajya Sabha, where voting will take place soon. Minority Affairs Minister Kiren Rijiju introduced the bill in the Lok Sabha on Wednesday. The debate continued past midnight before the vote. The Budget Session of Parliament will end on April 4. The bill has sparked strong reactions from both the ruling party and the opposition, making the Rajya Sabha vote crucial. (PC: ANI)

Two senior JD(U) leaders, Mohammed Qasim Ansari and Mohammed Nawaz Malik, resigned over the party's support for the Waqf (Amendment) Bill, saying it betrayed Muslim trust. In letters to Bihar CM Nitish Kumar, they accused JD(U) of abandoning secular values. "Millions of Muslims had faith in your ideology, but that belief is now broken," Ansari wrote. Malik called the bill unconstitutional, alleging it humiliates Muslims. JD(U) leader Rajiv Ranjan Singh defended the bill, saying it promotes transparency. With NDA holding a majority in the Rajya Sabha, the bill is expected to pass. (PC: India Today)

West Bengal CM Mamata Banerjee criticized the Supreme Court ruling dismissing 25,000 teachers, asserting, "Not all are guilty." She questioned BJP’s role, comparing it to the Vyapam scam. Banerjee assured a fresh selection process within three months and pledged legal review. Expressing concern over teachers' mental health, she announced her participation in an April 7 gathering. Accusing the BJP of targeting Bengal’s education system, she stated, "BJP can jail me, but I stand with teachers." (PC: PTI)

Leader of Opposition Rahul Gandhi attacked the BJP in the Lok Sabha, alleging it was "bowing its head before foreigners." He claimed China occupied 4,000 sq km of Indian territory and criticized India's response. "20 jawans attained martyrdom in 2020, but our Foreign Secretary cut a cake with the Chinese envoy," he said. Gandhi also demanded the government clarify its stance on US tariffs. BJP's Anurag Thakur refuted the claims, insisting no land was lost to China. The government maintains ties with Beijing have improved following troop withdrawals last year. (PC: 

The Lok Sabha passed the Waqf (Amendment) Bill, 2025, with 288 votes in favor and 232 against, rejecting all opposition amendments. The BJP defended the bill, claiming it enhances Waqf board transparency, while Congress leader Sonia Gandhi denounced it as a "brazen assault" on the Constitution. She accused the Modi government of dragging India into "an abyss where the Constitution will remain on paper." Union Minister Kiren Rijiju countered, insisting that India remains the "safest place for minorities." Opposition leaders condemned the bill as "anti-Muslim," warning it would deepen societal divisions and erode democratic values. (PC: Sansad TV)

The Lok Sabha is voting on the Waqf (Amendment) Bill after Minority Affairs Minister Kiren Rijiju concluded his remarks. The bill has sparked strong opposition, with INDIA bloc parties calling it "unconstitutional." NDA allies, including TDP and JD(U), have issued whips supporting the bill. MP NK Premachandran proposed an amendment allowing non-Muslims on Waqf boards. Rijiju defended the government, stating, “No place is safer for minorities than India.” The bill will move to the Rajya Sabha next, with both Houses allotted eight hours for debate. The final outcome of the Lok Sabha vote is awaited. (PC: India Today)

Congress MP Gaurav Gogoi accused the BJP government of using the Waqf (Amendment) Bill, 2024, to “dilute the Constitution and disenfranchise minorities.” Challenging Union Minister Kiren Rijiju’s claim that the UPA transferred 123 properties to the Delhi Waqf Board in 2014, Gogoi demanded proof and accused him of misleading Parliament. He criticized the BJP for neglecting minority concerns, questioning the bill’s “certificate of religion” requirement. Rijiju countered, asking Gogoi to specify his objections. The debate intensified as Gogoi accused the government of reviving colonial-era tactics and ignoring opposition voices. (PC: PTI)

The Waqf (Amendment) Bill, 2024, tabled in Lok Sabha, removes Section 40, which allowed the Waqf Board to declare land as Waqf property. Law Minister Kiren Rijiju called it the "most draconian" provision, alleging misuse for mass land conversions. The Bill, now renamed the UMEED Bill, allows legal challenges in high courts within 90 days. It also removes 'Waqf by user,' ensuring only self-owned property can be declared Waqf. Rijiju cited cases from Kerala and Haryana, where Christian and Sikh communities opposed Waqf land claims. The Bill shifts property decisions to district collectors, preventing arbitrary conversions. (PC: 

Union Minister Kiren Rijiju defended the Waqf Amendment Bill in Lok Sabha, claiming that “PM Modi stopped Parliament takeover by waqf” and that the previous Congress government would have handed over Parliament and airport lands. The bill seeks to amend the 1995 Waqf Act, which governs properties donated by Muslims. Opposition leaders protested, calling it unlawful, while Rijiju insisted the bill would ensure "accountability and transparency" in Waqf property management. He stated it was in the interest of poor Muslims, children, and women. The opposition raised slogans as the debate intensified. (PC: India Today)

The Lok Sabha is set for a heated debate as the Waqf (Amendment) Bill, 2024, is tabled for discussion and passage. BJP leader NV Subhash called it a “historic day”, while Parliamentary Affairs Minister Kiren Rijiju stated that opposition to the bill should be on the “basis of logic”. The bill proposes 40 amendments, including non-Muslim representation in Waqf boards and mandatory registration of Waqf properties. Congress and other opposition parties call it "unconstitutional" and plan to challenge it. BJP and its allies have issued whips to ensure MP attendance, with Amit Shah expected to join the debate. (PC: PTI)