Waqf Bill Passed by Parliament, Awaits Presidential Approval: Full Details
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Synopsis
The Waqf (Amendment) Bill has successfully cleared the Rajya Sabha, receiving 128 votes in favor after extensive debate. This follows its approval by the Lok Sabha, paving the way for significant amendments to Waqf-related legislation. The bill is now pending presidential assent to become law.
Key Takeaways
- The Waqf (Amendment) Bill passed in Rajya Sabha with 128 votes.
- Previous approval from Lok Sabha with 288 votes.
- Amendments to the Waqf Bill of 1995 and repeal of the Mussalman Wakf Act.
- Presidential assent needed for the bill to become law.
- Congress plans to challenge the bill's constitutionality in court.
New Delhi, April 4 (NationPress) The Waqf (Amendment) Bill has successfully passed through the Rajya Sabha during the early hours of Friday after an extensive debate, marked by intense discussions between the treasury and opposition members. The Upper House deliberated on the bill for close to 14 hours, ultimately approving it with 128 votes in favor and 95 against.
Previously, the Lok Sabha had also approved the legislation after nearly 12 hours of debate, recording 288 votes for and 232 against.
This development signifies that both Houses have cleared the way for amendments to the Waqf Bill of 1995 and the repeal of the Mussalman Wakf Act of 1923.
The next step involves obtaining the President's assent for the bill, which will then become law.
The bill is expected to be forwarded to President Droupadi Murmu shortly, and her approval will allow for the amendments to the 1995 laws governing Waqf properties.
According to a prominent portal, the government anticipates a quicker approval timeframe compared to the Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA).
The NDA government, promoting the Waqf Amendment Bill as a significant milestone in the first year of Modi 3.0, expects to notify its implementation soon after receiving the President's consent.
An interesting aspect of the Rajya Sabha voting was the stance taken by the Biju Janata Dal (BJD) on this contentious bill.
Based on the numbers from the NDA and INDIA bloc, the bill was anticipated to pass in the Rajya Sabha but with a narrower margin compared to the Lok Sabha. The NDA expected support from 123 MPs but achieved 128 votes in favor, while the INDIA bloc finished with 95 votes (lower than the expected 98).
Just hours before the voting, the Naveen Patnaik-led BJD allowed for a 'conscience vote', informing its 7 MPs that they were free to vote as they chose.
Some BJD MPs voted in favor of the NDA, enhancing its tally beyond expectations. A total of 119 votes was required for the bill's passage, but the BJP's proficient management enabled it to secure 128 votes.
Meanwhile, the Congress party has announced its intention to contest the constitutionality of the Waqf legislation in the Supreme Court.
“The INC will soon challenge the constitutionality of the Waqf (Amendment) Bill, 2024 in the Supreme Court,” a post on X revealed.
