- By Raju Kumar
- Thu, 03 Apr 2025 12:01 PM (IST)
- Source:JND
Waqf Amendment Bill 2024: The Waqf (Amendment) Bill, 2024 was tabled by the Central government in the Rajya Sabha on Thursday. The contentious bill was cleared by the Lok Sabha on Wednesday, April 2, after an intense discussion for more than 12 hours, which began at noon and continued till the early hours of Thursday.
During the 12-hour debate, the ruling NDA strongly defended the legislation, terming it beneficial for minorities, while the Opposition described it as "anti-Muslim".
The bill was passed after all amendments moved by the opposition members were rejected by voice votes. It was passed after division of votes -- 288 in favour and 232 against.
In his reply to the debate, Union Minorities Affairs Minister Kiren Rijiju said there is no place in the world safer than India for minorities and they are safe because the majority is entirely secular.
Stage set for fierce debate in Rajya Sabha
After an over-night debate in the Lower House, the stage is set for a war of words in a similar fashion in the Upper House as both sides - National Democratic Alliance (NDA) and INDIA bloc have not shown any sign of being softened on the contentious bill.
How number battle look like in Upper House
The Bharatiya Janta Party-led NDA is well placed in the Rajya Sabha, with 125 MPs.
BJP: 98
JD(U): 4
Ajit Pawar's NCP: 3,
TDP: 2
Six nominated members
The Opposition INDIA bloc
INIDA bloc has total 88 MPs which is not enough to stop the bill.
Congress: 27
TMC: 13
AAP: 10
DMK: 10
RJD: 5
The Naveen Patnaik-led BJD has 7 MPs and it is unclear whether it would support the INDIA bloc. Even if BJD supports the Opposition bloc, the numbers won’t be enough.
The majority number in Rajya Sabha is 119 as the current strength is 237. The Rajya Sabha has a maximum membership of 245, with 233 elected members and 12 nominated members.
DMK to challenge Waqf bill in SC: Tamil Nadu CM Stalin
Meanwhile, Tamil Nadu Chief Minister MK Stalin announced that the DMK will challenge in the Supreme Court. Addressing the Tamil Nadu Legislative Assembly, CM Stalin declared, "Tamil Nadu will fight, and it will succeed in this fight.
(With agencies inputs agencies )