BJD takes U-turn on Wakf Bill, gives free hand to its MPs in Rajya Sabha

New Delhi: Biju Janata Dal (BJD) MP Sasmit Patra on April 3 clarified his party's stand on the Wakf Amendment Bill, saying that the BJD has always supported the principles of secularism and inclusiveness and protected the rights of all communities. He respected the different sentiments coming from minority communities about the Wakf Bill and told party members in the Rajya Sabha to use their discretion if the Bill comes up for voting. He also said that the party has no whip on the subject.

The BJD later took a U-turn on the Wakf Amendment Bill and told its MPs that no whip has been issued in the Rajya Sabha today. They can consider the bill freely.

Wakf Amendment Bill passed in Lok Sabha

On April 2, the Lok Sabha passed the Wakf Amendment Bill after a heated debate. During this time, the Bharatiya Janata Party MPs opposed the bill, while the BJP and its allies supported it, saying that this would increase the efficiency of the Wakf Boards and bring transparency. The Parliament session continued till night to pass the bill, in which a total of 288 votes were voted in favor and 232 votes were against it.

Objectives and amendments of the Bill

This bill seeks to amend the Waqf Act of 1995 and its main objective is to improve the administration of Waqf properties. It plans to incorporate technology in the management of Waqf records, improve the registration process and increase the efficiency of the boards. After this, Union Minority Affairs Minister Kiren Rijiju, while introducing the Waqf (Amendment) Bill 2025 in the Rajya Sabha, said that the aim of this bill is to empower Muslim women and protect the rights of all Muslim communities.

Extension of the duration of Zero Hour in Parliament

Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla decided to extend the duration of Zero Hour, giving MPs more time to raise issues related to their constituencies. Zero Hour now lasted for more than five hours, in which 202 MPs put forth their views.