New Delhi [India], April 3 (ANI): BJP National Spokesperson Shehzad Poonawalla on Thursday hailed the passage of the Waqf Amendment Bill in the Lok Sabha, calling it a triumph for social justice and good governance after over 13 hours of debate in the lower house of the parliament.

In a video statement, Ponnawalla said that he welcomes the decision, stating, 'After more than 13 hours of discussion, the Waqf Amendment Bill was passed in the Lok Sabha... I welcome it... Waqf will no longer be able to claim whatever it wants... Social justice has won today.'

Poonawalla emphasised that the legislation would safeguard the rights of poor Muslims and that all the 'evils' in the Waqf system would end after it gets passed in the Rajya Sabha.

'Poor Muslims, women, orphan children, etc., will also benefit from Waqf properties... This is also a victory for good governance... Now, this bill will go to the Rajya Sabha, and when it becomes a law, all the evils that were in the Waqf system will end... This bill will ensure the rights of poor Muslims and maintain the constitutional system,' Poonawalla said.

Meanwhile, Congress MPs fiercely criticised the passage of the bill, noting that the timing and intent of the passage of the bill were a ruse of the ruling government to divert attention from the US reciprocal tariff announcement.

'Parliament was working until 2 in the morning, and at 1:30 am, the US imposed tariffs. The country and especially the BJP voters must understand that this Waqf (Amendment) Bill was pre-planned to deviate people from the issue of tariffs. The US imposed 26 per cent tariffs, but the government is not ready to talk about that, and I have heard that the PM has now gone to Thailand,' Congress MP Imram Pratapgarhi said.

Congress MP and Joint Parliamentary Committee (JPC) member for the Waqf Bill Imran Masood also condemned the bill's passage, stating that the constitution is 'being crushed' and also signalled plans for a legal challenge against the legislation.

'The Constitution is being crushed... It's sad how things are proceeding based on their numbers (of MPs). We will continue our fight and take this to court,' Masood asserted.

The Rajya Sabha will take up discussion on the Waqf Amendment Bill around 1 pm, and eight hours have been allocated for the discussion.

Congress will have approximately 45 minutes during the discussion. Nasir Hussain will be the first speaker from the party, while party MPs Abhishek Manu Singhvi and Imran Pratapgarhi are also likely to speak.

On Wednesday, the Lok Sabha passed the Waqf Amendment Bill 2025 after a marathon and heated debate, during which members of the INDIA bloc fiercely opposed the legislation while the BJP and its allies strongly supported it, saying it would bring transparency and enhance the efficiency of Waqf boards.

The House sat beyond midnight to pass the legislation. Speaker Om Birla later announced the division's result.

'Subject to correction, Ayes 288, Noes 232. The majority is in favour of the proposal,' he said.

The government introduced the revised bill after incorporating the recommendations of the Joint Parliamentary Committee, which examined the legislation introduced in August last year. The bill seeks to amend the Act of 1995 and improve the administration and management of waqf properties in India.

It aims to overcome the shortcomings of the previous act and enhance the efficiency of Waqf boards, improving the registration process and increasing the role of technology in managing waqf records. (ANI)