NEW DELHI – The Lok Sabha passed the controversial Waqf Bill on Wednesday, despite widespread opposition from various political and community groups. The bill, criticized for disregarding concerns raised by the Muslim community and violating parliamentary norms, retained all its contentious provisions.
In a dramatic protest, AIMIM chief and Hyderabad MP Asaduddin Owaisi tore a copy of the bill inside the House, likening his action to Mahatma Gandhi’s defiance against discriminatory laws in South Africa. “History remembers how Gandhiji rejected unjust laws. Today, my conscience does not accept this unconstitutional Waqf Bill,” Owaisi declared. He further condemned the BJP-led government for allegedly exploiting religious issues to create societal divisions and demanded that the 10 amendments proposed by the Opposition be incorporated.
Union Home Minister Amit Shah defended the bill, countering Owaisi’s objections by asserting, “A member said minorities won’t accept it. Who are you trying to scare? This is Parliament’s law, and everyone will follow it.”
Despite the Opposition’s firm arguments against the bill, the government had the numerical strength to push it through. The final vote saw 288 MPs supporting the bill and 232 opposing it. Notably, the ruling NDA, which holds 293 seats, secured five fewer votes than expected, indicating some internal dissent.
The voting process began at 12:06 am on Thursday after a lengthy debate and a concluding statement by Minister Kiren Rijiju. The session lasted until 1:45 pm, culminating in the bill’s passage—a momentous development in the ongoing discourse on minority rights and religious governance in India.
