Waqf | Waqf Bill passed in Rajya Sabha; 128 in favour; 95 against; jubilation in Munambath

Following the Lok Sabha, the Rajya Sabha also passed the Waqf Amendment Bill. 128 members voted in favor of the bill. 95 members opposed it. After a debate that lasted more than 12 hours, the vote in the Rajya Sabha took place at 1.10 am today. With the approval of both houses of Parliament, the bill will only need the President's assent for it to become a law.

Meanwhile, locals in Munambath celebrated the passage of the bill in the Rajya Sabha. Protesters shouted "Jai" to Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Union Minister Suresh Gopi.

The amendment proposed by Tiruchi Shiva against the inclusion of non-Muslims in the Waqf Board was rejected by a voice vote. The amendments moved by MPs from Kerala, John Brittas, AA Rahim, V Sivadasan, Harris Beeran, Abdul Wahab, P Santosh Kumar, and PP Suneer, were rejected by a voice vote.

Kerala Congress (M) Chairman Jose K Mani, who supported the provision to approach the High Court against the decision of the Waqf Tribunal, however, opposed the bill in general. The most objection was to the provision to include non-Muslims in the Waqf Council and Board.

After a 14-hour debate and vote, the bill was passed by the Lok Sabha at 1.56 am on Thursday. Out of the 520 members present, 288 supported the bill while 232 opposed it. Except for Suresh Gopi from Kerala, 18 members voted against it. Priyanka Gandhi was absent as she was abroad.

The bill was introduced by Union Minority Affairs Minister Kiren Rijiju. The amendment was made to the Waqf Act, 1995. After the bill was introduced in August, it was sent for consideration by a Joint Parliamentary Committee (JPC). The revised bill was passed by the Lok Sabha and later by the Rajya Sabha as per the recommendations of the JPC.