Kiren Rijiju Moves Waqf (Amendment) Bill for Consideration in Rajya Sabha
New Delhi, April 3: Union Parliamentary Affairs Minister Kiren Rijiju on Thursday moved a motion in the Rajya Sabha for the consideration of the Waqf (Amendment) Bill, 2025, and the Musalmaan Wakf (Repeal) Bill. The bill had earlier been introduced in the Lok Sabha during the Budget Session of Parliament.
Addressing the upper house, Rijiju cited the Sachar Committee report, which had recommended broadening the Central Waqf Council and state Waqf boards to make them more inclusive. He highlighted the significant increase in Waqf properties, stating that their estimated earnings have grown considerably since 2006.
“As of today, there are 8.72 lakh Waqf properties. The Sachar Committee estimated earnings from 4.9 lakh Waqf properties at ₹12,000 crore in 2006. You can imagine the income these properties must be generating now,” Rijiju said. He also noted that the committee had recommended measures for the welfare of women and children.
Rijiju invoked the findings of the previous Joint Parliamentary Committee (JPC), led by senior Congress leader K. Rahman Khan, which highlighted issues with the Waqf board, including inadequate infrastructure, insufficient manpower, and limited funds.
“A Joint Parliamentary Committee under K. Rahman Khan, who served as Minority Affairs Minister, pointed out shortcomings in the infrastructure and resources of the Waqf board. The focus has been mostly on appointing or removing the Mutawalli, while larger issues remain unaddressed,” he stated.
Appealing to Congress and its allies for support, Rijiju emphasized that all past recommendations had been incorporated into the newly amended bill. “These committees functioned under UPA and Congress. I urge the Congress party and its allies to support the Waqf Amendment Bill, 2025,” he added.
The minister also highlighted the extensive consultation process undertaken before drafting the bill. He revealed that the Ministry of Minority Affairs had engaged with various stakeholders, including the state minority commissions, and that over one crore people had submitted memorandums expressing their views.
“In total, 284 organizations across different regions provided their opinions. The JPC has carried out comprehensive work, more than any other JPC before. This is historic,” Rijiju said.
The bill aims to bring structural reforms to the Waqf board, ensuring better governance and efficiency in managing Waqf properties.
