Waqf Bill 2025 is now a law as President Murmu aprroves it amid controversy

The Waqf (Amendment) Bill, 2025 officially became law on Saturday, after receiving the assent of President Droupadi Murmu. The President also approved the Mussalman Wakf (Repeal) Bill, 2025, both of which have sparked intense political and legal discussions nationwide. A government notification confirmed the assent, stating, “The following Act of Parliament received the assent of the president on April 5, 2025.”

This development comes shortly after both Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha passed the bills following marathon debates. The Lok Sabha cleared the amendment bill early Thursday morning, while the Rajya Sabha followed suit on Friday, continuing a heated discussion that extended late into the night. The bills were passed amid vocal protests from the opposition.

The Waqf (Amendment) Bill, 2025 is already facing judicial scrutiny, with Congress MP Mohammad Jawed and AIMIM leader Asaduddin Owaisi filing separate petitions in the Supreme Court challenging the constitutional validity of the bill. The petitioners have argued that the bill infringes upon minority rights and is discriminatory in nature.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi, in a post on X, hailed the passage of both bills as a “watershed moment” for India. He stated that the new laws will empower marginalised communities by ensuring socio-economic justice, transparency, and inclusive growth. Modi also thanked the members of Parliament and the citizens who gave feedback to the Joint Parliamentary Committee that reviewed the bill.

During the debate, Union Minister Kiren Rijiju, who introduced the Bill in both Houses, defended it firmly. He stated that the bill is not about religion but about transparency in property management. He added that proof of ownership is now required before designating any property as Waqf, aiming to eliminate unchecked claims by the Waqf Board that had led to disputes in the past.

Opposition leaders, including those from the Congress, called the bill unconstitutional and anti-Muslim. They argued that the bill would lead to legal chaos and increased communal tension. Despite these concerns, the ruling government pushed through both bills with a clear majority. The Mussalman Wakf (Repeal) Bill, 2025, which annuls the Mussalman Wakf Act of 1923, also sailed through both Houses.

With the law now in place, attention shifts to the Supreme Court, where a constitutional battle looms. As political leaders remain divided, the real impact of these laws on the ground—especially for communities managing Waqf properties—remains to be seen.