Pawan Kalyan's Jana Sena party backs Waqf Amendment Bill in Lok Sabha

NEW DELHI: The Jana Sena Party announced its complete support for the Waqf Amendment Bill introduced in the Lok Sabha by the central government on Wednesday. Party chief and Andhra Pradesh deputy chief minister Pawan Kalyan has instructed the party's MPs to vote in favor of the bill, which aims to modernize the Waqf Act.
A Joint Parliamentary Committee of 31 members reviewed the amendments after discussions with relevant groups, intellectuals, and governance experts to formulate the bill.


"The central government is introducing the Waqf Amendment Bill in the Lok Sabha, and the Jana Sena Party has expressed its support for it. The party believes that this amendment will benefit the Muslim community. In this regard, party president Pawan Kalyan has issued directives to Jana Sena MPs in the Lok Sabha, instructing them to participate in the voting and support the bill," stated the Jansena statement.
BJP MP Jagdambika Pal, who chaired the JPC on the Waqf Amendment Bill, stated that the bill would benefit poor and Pasmanda (backward) Muslims.
Union Parliamentary Affairs Minister Kiren Rijiju will move the Waqf Amendment Bill of 2025 for consideration and passing after today's Question Hour. An 8-hour discussion will follow, subject to an increase.
The bill was initially presented in the Lok Sabha in August last year, after which a Joint Parliamentary Committee was formed under Jagdambika Pal's leadership.
The proposed legislation seeks to amend the Waqf Act of 1995 to address challenges in regulating and managing Waqf properties.
The Amendment Bill aims to enhance the administration and management of waqf properties in India by introducing several changes, including renaming the Act, updating waqf definitions, improving the registration process, and increasing technology's role in managing waqf records.
The existing Waqf Act of 1995, which was enacted to regulate Waqf properties, has faced criticism for issues such as mismanagement, corruption, and encroachments.
The bill intends to modernize the Waqf Act, which dates back to the British era, and align it with present-day requirements to achieve broader benefits.