Bhubaneswar (Odisha) [India], April 5 (ANI): Odisha Minister Mukesh Mahaling on Friday lauded Waqf Amendment Bill passed by Parliament, calling it 'historic' and beneficial for the nation.

Speaking to ANI, Mahaling said, 'This is a historic Bill. BJD's take on the Bill is a different topic, and a representation of their hypocrisy. All parties participated in the discussion on the Bill, and its clause. The discussion was very intense. This will definitely become a law and will benefit the entire nation.'

Uttar Pradesh Deputy Chief Minister Keshav Prasad Maurya also praised the passing of the bill, saying it would benefit the welfare and development of poor Muslims in the country.

Speaking to ANI, Maurya said, 'For this country, the name of hope is Prime Minister Modi, and the name of despair is the Congress Party, the Gandhi family, Samajwadi Party's Akhilesh Yadav, Mamata Banerjee, etc. All of them tried to ensure that no work could be done by the BJP in the interest of Muslims.'

BJP MP Dinesh Sharma also praised the passage of the bill, saying it will significantly change the lives of minorities by ensuring their properties are secure and governed by clear regulations.

'These people (opposition) are scaring the minorities regarding the Waqf Bill. This bill will soon bring a change in the lives of our minority brothers. Their properties will be secure and will function with a set of rules and regulations... The opposition only tries to mislead our minority brothers by showing fear of the BJP,' Sharma told ANI.

The Parliament passed the Waqf Amendment Bill 2025 on Friday after a marathon and heated debate. Rajya Sabha Chairman Jagdeep Dhankhar said, 'Ayes 128 and Noes 95, Absent zero. The Bill is passed.' The Mussalman Wakf (Repeal) Bill, 2024, has also been passed in Parliament. Lok Sabha had previously passed the bill.

The Lok Sabha, which discussed the Waqf (Amendment) Bill on Wednesday, passed it past midnight after a marathon debate.

The Bill passed in both Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha now awaits President Droupadi Murmu's assent to become an Act.

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.

The Bill 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)