‘No Mosque or Graveyard Will Be Touched': BJP's Ravi Shankar Prasad Assures on Waqf Bill

BJP legislator Ravi Shankar Prasad ensured that the Waqf (Amendment) Bill, 2025 would not impact mosques or graveyards and underlined the bill's intention to focus on the improvement of Waqf property management. Under Lok Sabha debate, Prasad clarified that the bill will introduce transparency, accountability, and inclusivity in Waqf property management, ensuring women's and backward Muslims' representation in Waqf Boards. He accused opposition parties of spreading disinformation and quoting constitutional provisions selectively to instill fear among minorities.

Union Minority Affairs Minister Kiren Rijiju, who presented the bill, again clarified that it is future-oriented, not past-oriented, and does not encroach on religious practices or take away property. Rijiju pointed out that certain provisions of the current law were being misused to declare land as Waqf property arbitrarily and thus get it mismanaged. The bill aims to avoid misuse while facilitating socio-economic development.

The Lok Sabha approved the bill by 288 votes to 232, in spite of opposition from parties such as Congress and DMK, who labeled it as unconstitutional and anti-minority. 

BJP leaders emphasized that the bill is in line with constitutional values and seeks to empower marginalized communities without discriminating against religious institutions.