Congress MP Gaurav Gogoi on Wednesday strongly opposed the Waqf (Amendment) Bill, 2025, calling it “anti-Constitutional” and accusing the BJP government of hypocrisy over Muslim rights.
“They are so concerned about Muslims that they did not even allow them to offer prayers freely on the day of Eid in several states,” Gogoi said in the Lok Sabha. He further dismissed the Joint Parliamentary Committee (JPC) process as a “farce,” alleging that none of the recommendations put forth by the opposition were accepted.
“They didn’t even have discussions on clauses. The entire process was just an eyewash,” he said. His remarks triggered a heated debate, with opposition parties, including the National Conference and the People’s Democratic Party, rejecting the bill and calling it an attack on Muslim institutions.
Union Minority Affairs Minister Kiren Rijiju, who introduced the bill, defended it as a necessary step to improve the administration of Waqf properties through technology-driven management and transparency.
He claimed that the JPC had conducted one of the most extensive consultation processes in India’s parliamentary history, receiving over 9.7 million petitions and memorandums.
Rijiju said 284 delegations, including Waqf boards from 25 states and Union Territories, legal experts, and religious leaders, had submitted their opinions before the final report was prepared.
“They are lying. No discussions have taken place. The minority affairs ministry has had a total of four meetings, the minutes of the meeting shall be put forth to the house,” Gogoi asked.
Dismissing allegations that the bill would lead to the seizure of mosques and graveyards, Rijiju accused the opposition of spreading misinformation.
“A false narrative is being spread that land belonging to mosques and graveyards will be taken away. Let me make it clear—this law is not meant to seize anyone’s land,” he asserted.
He insisted that the amendments strictly deal with property administration and do not infringe upon religious sites.
The bill introduces changes such as excluding Muslim trusts formed under any law from being considered Waqf, requiring that only practicing Muslims for at least five years can dedicate property to Waqf, and mandating that women receive their inheritance before a property is declared as Waqf.
It also proposes replacing Waqf tribunals with senior government officials for dispute resolution and assigning an officer above the rank of collector to investigate government properties claimed as Waqf.
Union Home Minister Amit Shah backed the bill, asserting that it had gone through extensive consultations and had been approved by the Union Cabinet.
Opposition parties, however, remained unconvinced, arguing that the changes undermine the autonomy of Waqf institutions and allow undue government interference.
Congress MP Gaurav Gogoi criticized the government for rushing the Waqf Bill through Parliament, questioning a clause that requires donors to prove their Muslim identity for five generations to contribute to Waqf.
“Why seek proof of Islam for Waqf?” Gogoi asked in the Lok Sabha, calling it a violation of the Constitution. The requirement could be challenged under Article 14 which guarantees equality before the law, and Article 25, which protects religious freedom.
“The government will have to give its faith certificate today,” Gogoi remarked, accusing the ruling party of imposing religious tests on charitable contributions.
With opposition leaders continuing to challenge the bill and raising concerns over the way the JPC process was conducted, the debate in Parliament remained tense.
The bill’s passage is set to be a contentious battle, deepening the divide between the ruling party and opposition over its implications.