Waqf Amendment Bill a Triumph for Equality, Says BJP MP Damodar Agarwal

  • April 4, 2025, 11:32 a.m.

The passage of the Waqf Amendment Bill, 2025, in Parliament has been hailed as a historic victory for justice and equality by BJP MP Damodar Agarwal. Speaking in Delhi today, Agarwal emphasized that the legislation, eagerly awaited by the common people of India, reinforces the supremacy of the judiciary and has garnered widespread support, including from sensible voices within the Muslim community.

“The common people of India were eagerly waiting for this bill to be passed,” Agarwal told reporters. “The Waqf or any other institution in India cannot be above the court, and this bill has a provision for this. Not only Hindus or other communities but many sensible people in the Muslim community have also supported it in large numbers. Through this bill, the principle of equality has been established. Time will prove how valuable this bill is.”

The bill, officially titled the Unified Waqf Management, Empowerment, Efficiency, and Development (UMEED) Act, 2025, cleared the Rajya Sabha on April 4 with 128 votes in favor and 95 against, following its approval in the Lok Sabha a day prior. It introduces sweeping reforms, including judicial oversight of Waqf properties, mandatory digitization, and measures to recover illegally occupied lands—steps the BJP claims will benefit the poor and marginalized, particularly within the Muslim community.

Agarwal’s remarks underscore the party’s narrative that the legislation is a unifying force, not a divisive one, countering Opposition allegations of it being anti-minority. The BJP MP highlighted the bill’s provision ensuring that Waqf Boards are accountable to the courts, a move he said aligns with India’s constitutional ethos. “No institution can operate beyond the law—this is true equality,” he asserted.

The BJP has positioned the bill as a fulfillment of its commitment to transparent governance and inclusive development. Earlier, Minority Affairs Minister Kiren Rijiju defended it as a tool to empower crores of Muslims, while Union Minister Giriraj Singh dismissed Opposition criticism as misinformation aimed at protecting corrupt interests. Agarwal’s statement adds to this chorus, suggesting a groundswell of public approval that transcends community lines.

In Delhi, where the BJP took the reins in February 2025 after defeating the Aam Aadmi Party, the government has already launched ambitious projects like pollution control and public transport upgrades. The Waqf Bill’s passage further bolsters its reformist image, with Agarwal predicting that its true value will become evident over time. “This is a bill for the future—a future where every Indian benefits from fair and accountable systems,” he said.

As the legislation awaits Presidential assent, the BJP is banking on its grassroots support and the bill’s practical outcomes to silence detractors. For now, Agarwal’s optimistic outlook reflects the party’s confidence that the Waqf Amendment Bill will stand as a testament to its vision of a stronger, more equitable India.

Author : Rajdhani Delhi Representative

Rajdhani delhi representative

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