Parliament passes Waqf Bill after Rajya Sabha approval following 12-hour debate
Rajya Sabha gave its approval, following 12 hours-long debate over the proposed legislation. The bill, which seeks to improve the administration and management of waqf properties in India, was passed with 128 votes in favour of the bill, as against 95.
The Lok Sabha passed the Bill with a 288-232 vote in the wee hours of Thursday after nearly 12 hours of debate.
Tabling the Bill in the Upper House, which was examined and redrafted by a Joint Parliamentary Committee (JPC), Rijiju said the proposed legislation has nothing to do with religion, but deals only with properties. The Bill aims to include all the Muslims sects in the Waqf board, Rijiju said.
The government proposes to rename the Waqf Bill as Unified Waqf Management Empowerment, Efficiency and Development (UMEED) Bill.
The bill was earlier presented in the Lok Sabha in August of last year and a Joint Parliamentary Committee, headed by BJP member Jagdambika Pal, examined it.
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The bill seeks to amend the Act of 1995. 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.
Showdown in Rajya Sabha
The showdown started with Leader of Opposition in the Rajya Sabha Mallikarjun Kharge attacking Anurag Thakur for hurling «wild allegations» at him, and dared the BJP MP to prove the charges or else resign.Referring to certain remarks made by Thakur in the Lok Sabha on Wednesday during the discussion on the Waqf bill, the Congress president said the remarks have damaged his reputation.
After tabling the bill in the Upper House, Rijiju said, «The Bill is not against Muslims… We don't want to hurt anyone's