"Victory of Indian democracy": Syed Naseruddin Chishty after Waqf Amendment Bill passed in Lok Sabha

Ajmer (Rajasthan) [India], April 3 (ANI): After the Waqf Amendment Bill was passed in Lok Sabha, Syed Naseruddin Chishty, the Chairman of All India Sufi Sajjadanashin Council (AISSC) stated that this is "victory" of Indian democracy as the government has taken a 'big step' in the interests of the Muslims.
Chisty hoped that the government will introduce schemes for the development of Muslims, especially for underprivileged Muslims, women and children.
He further congratulated Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Union Home Minister Amit Shah and Union Minister for Minority Affairs Kiren Rijiju on passing of the bill.
"This is the victory of India's democracy and the bill was brought in a very democratic manner and the bill has been passed after holding discussions. I congratulate PM Modi, Amit Shah and Kiren Rijiju on this. PM Modi has always talked about 'Sabka Saath Sabka Vikas Sabka Vishwas'... This is a very big step taken by the government in the best interests of the Muslims... The government should also introduce schemes for the development of the Muslims... I am hopeful that the bill will be passed in the Rajya Sabha also. I urge the government to bring schemes for the welfare of Muslims, especially for underprivileged, women and children," Chisty told ANI.
The Lok Sabha passed the Waqf Amendment Bill 2025 on Thursday after a marathon and heated debate during which members of INDIA bloc fiercely opposed the legislation while BJP and its allies in strongly supported it, saying it will bring transparency and enhance the efficiency of Waqf boards.
The bill was passed after amendments made by the opposition members were negatived. The House sat beyond midnight to pass the legislation.
After a reply to the debate by Parliamentary Affairs Minister Kiren Rijiju, Speaker Om Birla announced that the House is taking up item no 12 in the listed business - The Waqf (Amendment) Bill, 2025 - for a decision of the House. He said the question is whether the bill should be taken up for consideration and then said the lobbies should be cleared.
He later announced the result of division. "Subject to correction, Ayes 288, Noes 232. The majority is in favour of the proposal," he said.
Parties in INDIA bloc had decided to oppose the bill and their members voted accordingly. They also pressed for division on some amendments. An amendment was negatived with 231 members voting in favour and 238 against it.
The revised bill was brought by the government after incorporating recommendations of the Joint Parliamentary Committee which examined the legislation which was introduced in August last year.
In his reply to the debate, Rijiju said slammed the opposition parties for terming Waqf Amendment Bill as "unconstitutional", Minority Affairs Minister Kiren Rijiju said the law relating to Waqf property has been in existence for decades and has not been struck down by courts and such words should not be used lightly.
The Mussalman Wakf (Repeal) Bill, 2024' has also been passed in Lok Sabha.
Rijiju said that after the bill is passed, the poor in the Muslim community will thank Prime Minister Narendra Modi. The House sat beyond midnight to pass the bill.
"Crores of poor Muslims will thank PM Modi on the bill being passed," he said.
Rijiju rejected criticism by opposition members that the Bill was "anti-Muslim" and said some members were just not prepared to accept the truth despite Home Minister Amit Shah nicely elucidating on all issues.
"I want to thank all the leaders for keeping their views regarding the Bill... Some leaders are saying that the bill is unconstitutional, and I want to ask them how they could say that the bill is unconstitutional. If it was unconstitutional, why didn't the court strike it down?... words like unconstitutional should not be used...the Bill is not against the Constitution, as the opposition claimed...We should not use the words 'constitutional' and 'unconstitutional' so lightly," he said.
Earlier, in his speech, Home Minister Amit Shah said that the opposition is trying to build its vote bank by scaring the minority community.
The bill seeks to amend the Act of 1995. The Bill seeks to improve the administration and management of waqf properties in India. It 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)