Milind Deora highlights parliament’s late-night efforts in passing Waqf Bill

Hours after the Waqf Amendment Bill was passed in Parliament Shiv Sena MP Milind Deora highlighted the rigorous schedule of parliamentary proceedings emphasising the dedication of lawmakers in passing crucial legislationldquoFor those who say MPs donrsquot workmdashjust yesterday or today Rajya Sabha sat till 4 AM to pass two historic laws amp the night before Lok Sabha debated amp legislated until 3 AM I slept at 5 AM amp was up at 745 AM to fly back to Mumbai for an important meeting Democracy in action Parliamentrdquo he said in a post on XFor those who say MPs donrsquot workmdashjust yesterday or today Rajya Sabha sat till 4 AM to pass two historic laws amp the night before Lok Sabha debated amp legislated until 3 AM I slept at 5 AM amp was up at 745 AM to fly back to Mumbai for an important meetingDemocracy in actionhellipmdash Milind Deora milinddeora April 4 2025His tweet comes in the wake of backtoback latenight sessions in both Houses of Parliament where the Waqf Amendment Bill was discussed and passed The Rajya Sabharsquos session stretched till 4 AM while the Lok Sabha debated legislation until 3 AM the previous nightParliament passes Waqf Amendment BillParliament early Friday passed the contentious Waqf Amendment Bill 2025 after it was approved by the Rajya SabhaThe Lok Sabha had on Thursday approved the Bill after over a 12hour debateIn Rajya Sabha the Bill got 128 votes in its favour and 95 against after all the amendments moved by the opposition were rejectedIn the lower house the bill was supported by 288 MPs while 232 voted against itParticipating in a debate in the Rajya Sabha Minority Affairs Minister Kiren Rijiju said the Bill was brought with a number of amendments based on suggestions given by various stakeholdersThe Waqf Board is a statutory body All government bodies should be secular the minister said explaining the inclusion of nonMuslims on the boardHe however said the number of nonMuslims has been restricted to only four out of 22Rijiju also alleged that the Congress and other opposition parties and not the BJP were trying to scare Muslims with the Waqf BillYou opposition are pushing Muslims out of the mainstream he addedHe said for 60 years the Congress and others ruled the country but did not do much for Muslims and the community continues to live in povertyMuslims are poor who is responsible You Congress are Modi is now leading the government to uplift them the minister saidAccording to the Waqf Amendment Bill Waqf tribunals will be strengthened a structured selection process will be maintained and tenure will be fixed to ensure efficient dispute resolutionAs per the Bill while Waqf institutions mandatory contribution to Waqf boards is reduced from 7 per cent to 5 per cent Waqf institutions earning over Rs 1 lakh will undergo audits by statesponsored auditorsA centralised portal will automate Waqf property management improving efficiency and transparencyThe Bill proposes that practising Muslims for at least five years can dedicate their property to the Waqf restoring pre2013 rulesIt stipulates that women must receive their inheritance before the Waqf declaration with special provisions for widows divorced women and orphansThe Bill proposes that an officer above the rank of collector investigate government properties claimed as WaqfIt also proposes that nonMuslim members be included in the central and state Waqf boards for inclusivityWith inputs from Agencies