"Opposition parties are showing it negatively": BJP's Mohsin Raza on Waqf Bill

Lucknow (Uttar Pradesh) [India], April 5 (ANI): BJP leader Mohsin Raza on Friday slammed the opposition for opposing the Waqf amendment bill, saying that they are showing it negatively.
Speaking to ANI, Raza said, "When you read this Act, everything will become clear. They just know how to mislead. A few Muslim leaders and clerics are responsible for spoiling the atmosphere. They always mislead and never work for the welfare or upliftment of Muslims."
He said the bill is for the welfare of poor Muslims, but the opposition is portraying it negatively.
"This bill is for the welfare of the backward and poor Muslims. The opposition parties are showing it negatively. No change has been made to any existing law. Extensive powers were given to the Waqf Board by the Congress in 2013, and it has now been amended," Raza said.
Uttar Pradesh Deputy Chief Minister Keshav Prasad Maurya also praised the passing of the bill, saying it would benefit the welfare and development of poor Muslims in the country.
Speaking to ANI, Maurya said, "For this country, the name of hope is Prime Minister Modi, and the name of despair is the Congress Party, the Gandhi family, Samajwadi Party's Akhilesh Yadav, Mamata Banerjee, etc. All of them tried to ensure that no work could be done by the BJP in the interest of Muslims."
BJP MP Dinesh Sharma also praised the passage of the bill, saying it will significantly change the lives of minorities by ensuring their properties are secure and governed by clear regulations.
"These people (opposition) are scaring the minorities regarding the Waqf Bill. This bill will soon bring a change in the lives of our minority brothers. Their properties will be secure and will function with a set of rules and regulations... The opposition only tries to mislead our minority brothers by showing fear of the BJP," Sharma told ANI.
The Parliament passed the Waqf Amendment Bill 2025 in the early hours of Friday after a marathon and heated debate. Rajya Sabha Chairman Jagdeep Dhankhar said, "Ayes 128 and Noes 95, Absent zero. The Bill is passed." The Mussalman Wakf (Repeal) Bill, 2024, has also been passed in Parliament. Lok Sabha had previously passed the bill.
The Lok Sabha, which discussed 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)