Rajya Sabha passes Waqf Amendment Bill with 128 votes in favour, 95 against

The Rajya Sabha on Friday passed the 2024 Waqf Amendment Bill, with 128 votes in its favour and 95 against.

The bill, which seeks to curb the authority of waqf boards and allow greater government control over them, was adopted early in the morning after a 14-hour debate, reported The Hindu.

A day earlier, the bill was adopted in the Lok Sabha a little after midnight following a 12-hour debate, with 288 votes in favour and 232 against. The bill now requires the president’s assent.

The Bharatiya Janata Party-led National Democratic Alliance has 293 MPs in the Lok Sabha. After winning 240 seats in the 2024 Lok Sabha elections and losing its majority in the Lower House, the BJP has had to rely on its alliance partners Janata Dal (United) and Telugu Desam Party to pass the bill.

In the Rajya Sabha, the NDA has 117 members out of the total strength of 236. The current majority mark in the Upper House stands at 119. The strength of the ruling coalition stands at 125 with the support of two nominated members and six Independents, The Times of India reported.

The Janata Dal (United) supported the bill, claiming that it is not anti-Muslim. The party had earlier said that the bill aimed to ensure transparency in the operation of the waqf boards...

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