- Has the Waqf Amendment passed? Yes, the Waqf (Amendment) Bill, 2024, was passed in the Lok Sabha (the lower house of India’s Parliament) on April 2, 2025, after a debate lasting over 12 hours. It received 288 votes in favor and 232 against, clearing the simple majority threshold of 272 votes needed in the 542-member house. However, as of this moment (late Wednesday night PDT, which is early Thursday morning IST), it has not yet been passed by the Rajya Sabha (the upper house). The bill was scheduled to be tabled in the Rajya Sabha on April 3, 2025 (tomorrow IST), but no voting has occurred there yet based on the current time. It requires approval from both houses and presidential assent to become law.
- Does it act start in India or not? No, the act has not started being implemented in India yet. Even though it passed the Lok Sabha today, it still needs to clear the Rajya Sabha and receive the President’s assent to become law. Only after that would implementation begin, which could take additional time as rules and notifications are framed. As of now, it’s still a bill, not an active act.
- Does the BJP support it? Yes, the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) strongly supports the Waqf (Amendment) Bill. The BJP-led National Democratic Alliance (NDA) government introduced the bill, and key BJP figures like Union Minister Kiren Rijiju (who tabled it) and Home Minister Amit Shah (who defended it in the Lok Sabha debate) have championed it. The BJP argues it improves transparency and management of Waqf properties, dismissing opposition claims of religious interference as “fear-mongering for vote-bank politics.”
- Does it get a majority? Yes, it secured a majority in the Lok Sabha with 288 votes, surpassing the required 272. The BJP-led NDA has 293 MPs in the Lok Sabha, and allies like the Telugu Desam Party (TDP), Janata Dal (United) (JD(U)), and Lok Janshakti Party (Ram Vilas) supported it, ensuring its passage despite opposition from the INDIA bloc (234 MPs). In the Rajya Sabha (245 members, needing 119 votes for a majority), the NDA has 125 MPs as of now, suggesting it could pass there too if allies remain united. However, opposition parties like Congress, Samajwadi Party, and DMK, along with some non-aligned parties like Biju Janata Dal (BJD), have vowed to oppose it, so the Rajya Sabha vote (expected tomorrow, April 3, 2025) will be critical.
In summary: The bill passed the Lok Sabha today with the BJP support and a clear majority, but it hasn’t become law yet—it still needs Rajya Sabha approval and hasn’t started being implemented. The NDA’s numbers suggest it’s likely to pass the upper house too, barring unexpected shifts. If you’re asking about a specific aspect (e.g., implementation details or Rajya Sabha outcome), let me know, and I’ll adjust accordingly!
