Sinha further stated that the bill does not allow any non-Islamic member to be part of the Waqf Board in matters related to religious donations. He said that the non-Muslim members of the Waqf Board will not be involved in religious activities, and that the charity commissioner, regardless of religion, will ensure that the board operates according to charity laws. He stated that the Waqf Board’s work should be to identify and remove those who sell off Waqf properties. Sinha accused the RJD and Congress of creating confusion and chaos in the country.

Manjhi also criticized Tejashwi Yadav for using the Waqf issue for political gain. He stated that Tejashwi is trying to make political capital out of Waqf but will not succeed in his aim. He accused the Lalu family of not being genuine well-wishers of Muslims. He challenged Tejashwi to remove the illegal occupants from the graveyards and Waqf lands if he is a true well-wisher of the Muslim community. Manjhi stated that 90% of the people occupying the lands are linked to Tejashwi Yadav’s party. Manjhi remarked that the Waqf law is not being thrown into the dustbin, and the result is that the public has dumped the party in opposition.

वक्फ कानून को चुनौती देने वाली याचिकाओं पर सुप्रीम कोर्ट के रोक लगाए जाने के बाद केंद्र सरकार ने वक्‍फ को लेकर बड़ा फैसला किया है। सूत्रों के मुताबिक, केंद्र सरकार वक्‍फ को लेकर आगे बढ़ेगी और 6 जून को वक्‍फ का ‘उम्मीद’ पोर्टल लॉन्‍च किया जाएगा। वक्‍फ कानून के अनुसार, वक्फ… pic.twitter.com/PTvnLvBr2f

The UMEED portal will require detailed property descriptions, including dimensions and geo-tagged locations, for registration. The State Waqf Board will oversee the registration process, and properties not registered within the stipulated timeframe of six months will be considered disputed and referred to a tribunal. Notably, the new guidelines emphasize that properties in the name of women cannot be declared as Waqf, and the beneficiaries of Waqf properties should primarily be women, children, and the poor.

#BreakingNews : वक्फ पोर्टल लॉन्च करेगी केंद्र सरकार, ‘उम्मीद’ नाम से वक्फ पोर्टल होगा लॉन्च#WaqfPropertyRegistration #UmeedPortal | @Nidhijourno @rai_priya90 pic.twitter.com/e0axnsdHjz — Zee News (@ZeeNews) June 3, 2025

The launch of the UMEED portal comes amid controversy surrounding the Waqf (Amendment) Act, 2025. Several petitions have been filed in the Supreme Court challenging the Act, with petitioners arguing that the amendments introduced are designed to “capture” properties through an executive and non-judicial process, amounting to discrimination against Muslims and unwarranted interference in Islamic religious affairs. The Centre has urged the Supreme Court to reject the petitions, arguing that the impugned law does not infringe upon constitutional guarantees.

▶️ मुसलमानों की ‘उम्मीद’ बनेगा वक्फ ? | LIVE ▶️ शुरू होगा रजिस्ट्रेशन, बढ़ेगी टेंशन ? ▶️ पारदर्शी वक्फ से किसे ऐतराज़ ?#ZeeLive #WaqfBoard #WaqfPropertyRegistration #WaqfProperty #CentralGovernment #UmeedPortal https://t.co/tqRUdxXyTF — Zee News (@ZeeNews) June 3, 2025

The launch of the UMEED portal marks a significant step towards improving the management of Waqf properties and ensuring transparency and accountability in their registration and administration. The government hopes that the portal will help to streamline the registration process and reduce disputes over Waqf properties.

He said that the Waqf law was amended as certain provisions in it gave “unprecedented power and authority to the Waqf Boards”.

His statement comes amid protests by various Muslim groups against the amendment, which have turned violent in some parts of West Bengal.

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Welcoming the legislation’s passage, Shams said, “It will rid Waqf properties from decades of encroachment by rich and influential Muslims. These properties will now come to the aid of poor Muslims.”

“Prime Minister Narendra Modi brought the amendments as he could understand the pain of poor Muslims,” he said.

Shams, who returned to Uttarakhand from Delhi after a 10-day visit during which the legislation was passed in Parliament, said he was accorded a very warm welcome by Muslims in Manglaur and Narsan.

“Pasmanda Muslims garlanded me and expressed their happiness at the passage of the Bill. They feel it will put an end to the injustice they were subjected to during decades of Congress rule,” he said.

Shams also offered a ‘chadar’ at Piran Kaliyar Sharief on behalf of Modi to thank him for bringing the long-awaited legislation in Parliament.

“Encroachers of Waqf properties are spreading fear among Muslims over the legislation as they are afraid they will now lose their grabbed properties,” the Uttarakhand Waqf Board chairman said.

The Centre on April 8 notified the Waqf (Amendment) Act, which received President Droupadi Murmu’s assent on April 5 after its passage in Parliament following heated debates in both Houses.

The discussions witnessed objections from opposition parties that described the legislation as “anti-Muslim and unconstitutional” while the government said the “historic reform” would benefit the minority community.

TMC MP shared a picture on the social media site Instagram in which he is holding a cup in his hand and said, “Easy afternoons, good chai, and calm surroundings. Just soaking in the moment.” 

Reacting to the Trinamool MP’s social media post, BJP national spokesperson Shehzad Poonawalla asserted that while Hindus are being slaughtered in Bengal, the TMC MP is seen sipping tea and soaking in the moment.

“Bengal is burning. HC has said it can’t keep eyes closed and deployed central forces. Mamata Banerjee is encouraging such state protected violence as Police stays silent! Meanwhile Yusuf Pathan – MP sips tea and soaks in the moment as Hindus get slaughtered. This is TMC,” He said in a post on X.

On the other hand, social media also users started criticising him for the post. One user asked, “Waha murshidabad jaal raha hai aur aap ghum rahe ho?”

Around 150 people arrested in connection with the violent protests over the Waqf (Amendment) Act in West Bengal’s Murshidabad district, where three people lost their lives, police said on Sunday, as reported by news agency PTI.

“The passage of the Waqf (Amendment) Bill and the Mussalman Wakf (Repeal) Bill by both Houses of Parliament marks a watershed moment in our collective quest for socio-economic justice, transparency and inclusive growth. This will particularly help those who have long remained on the margins, thus being denied both voice and opportunity,” said PM Modi.

“We will now enter an era where the framework will be more modern and sensitive to social justice. On a larger note, we remain committed to prioritising the dignity of every citizen. This is also how we build a stronger, more inclusive and more compassionate India,” said PM Modi.

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Leaders of several opposition parties, including the Congress, the TMC, the DMK, the AAP, the Shiv Sena (UBT), the Samajwadi Party, the RJD, and Left parties, alleged that the Bill was brought by the government with mala fide intentions. Some of them also demanded the withdrawal of the Bill.

As per the Bill, while Waqf institutions’ mandatory contribution to Waqf boards is reduced from 7 per cent to 5 per cent, Waqf institutions earning over Rs 1 lakh will undergo audits by state-sponsored auditors.

A centralised portal will automate Waqf property management, improving efficiency and transparency.

The Bill proposes that practising Muslims (for at least five years) can dedicate their property to the Waqf, restoring pre-2013 rules.

It stipulates that women must receive their inheritance before the Waqf declaration, with special provisions for widows, divorced women and orphans.

The Bill proposes that an officer above the rank of collector investigate government properties claimed as Waqf.

It also proposes that non-Muslim members be included in the central and state Waqf boards for inclusivity.

Telugu Desam Party (TDP), Janata Dal (United), Shiv Sena and LJP (Ram Vilas) — the four biggest constituents of the NDA after the BJP — issued whips to their MPs asking them to support the government stand.

The political heat is unlikely to have any bearing on the final outcome as the numbers heavily favour the ruling BJP-led National Democratic Alliance (NDA) in the Lok Sabha. The NDA has 293 MPs in the Lower House with a current strength of 542, and the BJP has often been successful in pulling the support of independent members and parties.

Though BJP allies like the TDP, JD(U) and Chirag Paswan-led LJP (Ram Vilas) had expressed reservations over some aspects of the bill, they have become more agreeable after the parliamentary committee adopted a few of their suggestions, official sources have said. The opposition INDIA bloc also presented a united face on Wednesday as its parties discussed their joint strategy to oppose the bill at a meeting in the Parliament House.

“All the Opposition parties are united and shall work together on the floor of the Parliament to defeat the unconstitutional and divisive agenda of the Modi Govt on the Waqf Amendment Bill,” Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge said in a post on X.

Minorities and Parliamentary Affairs Minister Kiren Rijiju told reporters that the Lok Sabha’s business advisory committee (BAC), which includes leaders from all major parties, chaired by Speaker Om Birla agreed on an eight-hour debate, which could be extended after taking the sense of the House.

Sources said senior BJP leaders, including Home Minister Amit Shah, are likely to participate in the discussion on the bill in Parliament.

The early signs of a likely raucous debate between the treasury and opposition benches over the bill were visible during the BAC meeting as the Congress and several other opposition INDIA bloc members walked out in protest, accusing the government of stifling their voice.

Congress’ deputy leader in the Lok Sabha Gaurav Gogoi alleged that their voices were being ignored and said the opposition parties wanted more time to debate and the House to take up more issues, including the situation in Manipur and the row over electors’ photo identity card.

Rijiju said several parties wanted four to six hours of debate, while those from the opposition demanded 12 hours. He noted that the allotted period of eight hours can be extended if the House feels so on Wednesday. The Rajya Sabha BAC met later where it was decided to have a discussion on the bill on Thursday, by when the Lower House is expected to deliver its verdict.

AIMIM member Asaduddin Owaisi, a sharp critic of the bill, told reporters that he will put forth his view during the debate to show how “unconstitutional” it is. This bill is aimed at curbing the religious freedom of Muslims, he alleged, adding that people will teach BJP’s allies like TDP and JD(U) a lesson. The BJP and the Congress are among the parties that have issued whips to their MPs, asking them to ensure their presence in the House and support their party’s official stand.

While the number game is more even in the Rajya Sabha, it is still in favour of the BJP-led NDA. The Upper House is expected to take up the bill for passage after it gets the nod of the Lok Sabha.

Some BJP allies, sources said, continue to push for more changes in the bill. A senior member of a BJP ally expressed hope that the saffron party will accommodate their views, stressing that some of their concerns were addressed by the Joint Committee of Parliament which scrutinised the bill. However, he emphasised that the NDA will remain united on the issue.

After the Catholic Bishops Conference of India, the Church of Bharat on Tuesday extended its support to the bill, boosting the government’s efforts to dispel the bid to portray the proposed law as its alleged larger anti-minority agenda.

While introducing the bill last year, the government had referred it to a joint committee of the two Houses.

After the report was submitted by the panel, the Union Cabinet had approved certain changes to the original bill based on the committee’s recommendation. Rijiju said immediately after Question Hour which concludes at 12 noon, he will move the bill for consideration and passage.

Hitting out at the opposition, he claimed that some parties are trying to create excuses to run away from discussion. Gogoi said the opposition stormed out of the BAC meeting as the government was bulldozing through its agenda. There is no space for the opposition, he alleged.

The INDIA bloc parties discussed their strategy at the meeting attended by a number of senior leaders including Congress’ Rahul Gandhi, Mallikarjun Kharge and KC Venugopal, Samajwadi Party’s Ram Gopal Yadav, NCP’s Supriya Sule, TMC’s Kalyan Banerjee and AAP’s Sanjay Singh.

DMK’s T R Baalu, Tiruchi Siva and Kanimozhi, RJD’s Manoj Kumar Jha, CPI-M’s John Brittas, SPI’s Sandosh Kumar P, RSP’s N K Premchandran and MDMK leader Vaiko were also present in the meeting.

Opposition parties are strongly resisting the bill, slamming it as unconstitutional and against the interest of the Muslim community. Several leading Muslim organisations have been rallying support against the bill.

“We have to protect the constitutional values and this bill is actually a targeted legislation. It is also unconstitutional. We, the INDIA parties, who believe in the Constitution are going to vote against the bill,” said Venugopal.

“This is a clear-cut violation of the Constitution. People who believe in the Constitution will definitely oppose it,” he asserted. The government has said the bill seeks to improve the management and administration of Waqf properties in India by bringing transparency and efficiency in their management.

Speaking with ANI, Rawat said, “Earlier also when amendments were made in the bill, questions were raised and we resolved them through discussions but you (government) are not resolving them…It seems that this is also a part of the BJP’s agenda of polarization.”

He also added that the BJP is bringing the bill to “send a signal” to their core voters.

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The bill seeks to amend Act of 1995. The Bill seeks to improve the administration and management of waqf properties in India. It 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.

Union Minority Affairs Minister Kiren Rijiju on Wednesday tabled the Waqf (Amendment) Bill, 2025, as proposed by a Joint Parliamentary Committee, in the Lok Sabha for consideration and passage.

He asserted that the previous BJP government constituted a state Waqf Board within one month of assuming charge.

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In case of disputes, the senior government official will have the final say on whether a property belongs to Waqf or the government. This replaces the existing system where such decisions are made by Waqf tribunals.