Waqf Amendment Bill: Giriraj Singh Slams Opposition, Highlights Benefits for Muslims

  • April 4, 2025, 11:30 a.m.

Union Minister Giriraj Singh launched a scathing attack on the Opposition today, accusing them of misleading the Muslim community over the recently passed Waqf Amendment Bill, 2025. Speaking in Delhi, Singh drew parallels with the Citizenship (Amendment) Act (CAA), asserting that just as no one lost citizenship despite Opposition claims, the Waqf Bill will prove to be a boon for Muslims across the country.

“Those who were misleading the Muslims of the country regarding the Citizenship (Amendment) Act are doing the same thing today,” Singh told reporters. “Just as no one lost their citizenship, people will similarly see how this bill is useful for the Muslim community. Only those people who were looting have a problem with this bill.”

The Waqf Amendment Bill, cleared by the Rajya Sabha in the early hours of April 4 with 128 votes in favor and 95 against, following its passage in the Lok Sabha a day earlier, has been a focal point of heated debate. The BJP-led government has hailed it as a landmark reform aimed at bringing transparency and efficiency to the management of Waqf properties, benefiting the poor and marginalized within the Muslim community. The legislation, now awaiting Presidential assent, introduces measures such as digitization, enhanced audits, and legal mechanisms to reclaim illegally occupied properties.

Singh’s remarks come amid fierce criticism from Opposition parties, including Congress and the INDIA bloc, who have labeled the bill unconstitutional and an attack on minority rights. However, the Union Minister dismissed these claims as baseless, accusing detractors of protecting vested interests. “The Opposition’s noise is only to shield those who have exploited Waqf properties for personal gain,” he said, reinforcing the BJP’s narrative that the bill targets corruption, not the community.

The BJP has consistently emphasized that the legislation, renamed the Unified Waqf Management, Empowerment, Efficiency, and Development (UMEED) Act, aligns with its “Sabka Saath, Sabka Vikas” vision. Earlier, Minority Affairs Minister Kiren Rijiju defended the bill in Parliament, stating it would uplift crores of poor Muslims without interfering in religious practices. Singh echoed this sentiment, predicting that the public would soon recognize the bill’s positive impact, much like the CAA’s implementation dispelled earlier fears.

In Delhi, where the BJP assumed power in February 2025 after a 28-year gap, the government has already rolled out initiatives like the Yamuna cleanup and women’s welfare schemes, showcasing its commitment to governance. The Waqf Bill’s passage is seen as another feather in its cap, strengthening its outreach to diverse communities while tackling long-standing administrative inefficiencies.

As the dust settles on this legislative milestone, Singh’s confident rebuttal signals the BJP’s resolve to push forward its reform agenda, undeterred by Opposition resistance. For now, the party is banking on time to prove that the Waqf Amendment Bill is a step toward empowerment, not division.

Author : Rajdhani Delhi Representative

Rajdhani delhi representative

Related News