New Delhi: The BJP’s key allies in the National Democratic Alliance (NDA) government – the Telugu Desam Party (TDP) and the Janata Dal (United) (JD(U)) have supported the Waqf Amendment Bill, 2025 in the Lok Sabha.The TDP however has suggested that while framing the rules for the Act, state governments should be provided flexibility in deciding the composition of the waqf boards.While the BJP has 240 seats in the Lok Sabha, the TDP and the JD(U) are its crucial allies, with 16 and 12 seats each.“The TDP has always stood by the welfare of Muslim community ensuring their development. In line with this, I urge the government to consider providing flexibility to the state government in deciding the composition of waqf boards,” said TDP MP Krishna Prasad Tenneti while participating in the debate in the Lok Sabha on Wednesday (April 2).“Given that Andhra Pradesh has already enacted the Andhra Pradesh Charitable and Hindu Religious Institutions Endowments Act permitting religious autonomy, providing state governments [the ability] to decide the composition of waqf boards will ensure the welfare of the Muslim community. This step will ensure the TDP’s inclusive growth,” he said.Earlier, while opposition parties had said that the joint parliamentary committee (JPC) that examined the legislation – first introduced in parliament in August – did not accept any of its recommendations, Tenneti said that of the 44 amendments accepted by the committee, three were proposed by the TDP.This included the prospective application of the waqf by user clause, replacing the district collector with a state government official higher than the district collector in deciding disputed waqf properties, and extending the timeline for the registration of waqf properties on the central portal as mandated in the new legislation.“One crucial amendment ensured the prospective application of the waqf by user clause. This means that all existing waqf properties registered under this will remain protected even without a waqf deed,” said Tenneti.“By ensuring this amendment, the TDP safeguarded the Muslim community and ensured that their properties shall remain intact. We moved an amendment replacing the district collector with a designated officer above the rank of collector to handle disputes. This ensured a larger, broader, robust resolution process, because we feel there is a need to take care of the welfare and upliftment of minorities.“The TDP also proposed an amendment to extend the timeline for uploading waqf property documents on the central portal. Originally the Bill required uploading within six months. We pushed for extensions … in selected cases where valid reasons exist. This was also accepted by the JPC,” he said.JD(U) accuses opposition of spreading ‘anti-Muslim narrative’The JD(U) extended its full support to the Bill and accused the opposition of spreading a “narrative” around the legislation being anti-Muslim.“Since the beginning of the discussion, attempts have been made to create an atmosphere as if the Bill is anti-Muslim. And this is happening from when the Bill was first brought to parliament,” said JD(U) MP and Union minister Rajiv Ranjan Singh.“How is this Bill anti-Muslim? Waqf is a sort of trust which is formed to work in the interest of Muslims. This is not a religious organisation. The trust has the right to do justice to all sections of Muslims, whether they are backward, women or downtrodden. The Waqf is like a trust that works in an administrative role. Today, a narrative is being created. If you don’t like Modi’s face, then don’t look at him. But appreciate the good work being done by him,” he said.The Bill was brought to the Lok Sabha on Wednesday after widespread criticism from Muslim bodies and opposition parties.After its introduction in August, it was sent to a JPC, which submitted its report in January.Its report was tabled in parliament in February.The Bill seeks to enhance the efficiency of the administration and management of Waqf properties and ensure that the inheritance rights of women are not denied.It crucially omits Section 40, which relates to the powers of waqf boards to decide if a property is a waqf property.
