New Delhi [India], April 4 : BJP Lok Sabha MP Damodar Agarwal expressed strong support for the Waqf Amendment Bill that was recently passed in Parliament, stating that time would determine the value of the legislation.
Speaking to ANI on Friday, Agarwal said that the common people of India had been eagerly awaiting the bill's passage, highlighting that the bill ensures that Waqf institutions, like any other institution, are not above the law and are subject to the jurisdiction of the court.
"The common people of India were eagerly waiting for this bill to be passed... The Waqf or any other institution in India can not be above the court, and this bill has a provision for this," he said.
The BJP MP pointed out that the bill has been widely supported, not only by Hindus and other communities but also by many "sensible people" within the Muslim community, and further emphasised that the bill establishes the principle of equality.
"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," he said.
Meanwhile, the Lok Sabha and the Rajya Sabha have been adjourned and will resume proceedings at 12:00 noon today.
Parliament passed the Waqf Amendment Bill 2025 in the early hours of Friday after a marathon and heated debate.
Rajya Sabha sat beyond midnight to pass the legislation. Chairman Jagdeep Dhankhar said, "Ayes 128 and Noes 95, Absent zero. The Bill is passed."
Lok Sabha, which took up discussion on the Waqf (Amendment) Bill on Wednesday, passed it past midnight after a marathon debate.
The government introduced the revised bill after incorporating the recommendations of the Joint Parliamentary Committee, which examined the legislation introduced in August last year. The bill seeks to amend the Act of 1995 and improve the administration and management of Waqf properties in India.
The Bill 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.