"Such bills are no less than trade or business": UBT MP Sanjay Raut on Waqf Bill

New Delhi [India], April 4 (ANI): Shiv Sena (UBT) MP Sanjay Raut on Friday strongly criticised the Waqf Amendment Bill passed by the Parliament, calling it a move akin to trade or business rather than a genuine effort to protect Muslim interests.
Addressing a press conference, Raut alleged that the government's focus was more on acquiring valuable Waqf properties and land, estimated to be worth around Rs 2 lakh crore, than on safeguarding the welfare of Muslims.
"Such bills are no less than a trade or business. The government claims to protect Muslims, but in reality, they are more interested in properties and land worth Rs 2 lakh crore," Raut said, expressing strong disapproval of the bill.
He further claimed that the bill was designed not to care for Muslims or their properties but to seize their land, asserting that the bill's intentions were far from benevolent.
"We will keep our words and protest against it... This bill has been brought not to care for the muslims or the properties of muslims but to grab the land of the muslims...When they see land, they get crazy. They will soon take Waqf land," Raut said.
Earlier, BJP MP and the Chairman for the Joint Parliamentary Committee for the Waqf Bill, Jagdambika Pal, hailed the "big reform" of Parliament passing the Waqf Bill, stating that Waqf properties will now be registered in a portal that will be launched by the minority affairs ministry soon.
"It is a big reform... The properties that are donated to Waqf are for the poor Muslims, widows, and children. However, the Waqf board has failed to open any university, hospital or college in the entire country, and none of the poor have benefitted from it but only a few people in positions. Now, the Waqf properties will be registered. The central government's Minority Ministry will launch a portal," Pal said.
Meanwhile, Congress MP and party General Secretary in charge of Communications Jairam Ramesh announced that the party will soon challenge the "constitutionality" of the Waqf Amendment Bill in the Supreme Court.
Parliament passed the Waqf Amendment Bill 2025 in the early hours of Friday after a marathon and heated debate. Rajya Sabha sat beyond midnight to pass the legislation.
Lok Sabha, which took up discussion on the Waqf (Amendment) Bill on Wednesday, passed it past midnight after a marathon debate.
The government introduced the revised bill after incorporating the recommendations of the Joint Parliamentary Committee, which examined the legislation introduced in August last year.
The bill seeks to amend the Act of 1995 and improve the administration and management of Waqf properties in India.
The Bill aims to overcome the shortcomings of the previous act and enhance the efficiency of Waqf boards, improving the registration process and increasing the role of technology in managing waqf records. (ANI)