Yogi Adityanath, the chief minister of Uttar Pradesh, criticized the Waqf board's operations on Thursday, saying they were trying to "capture land" in Prayagraj.
In his statement, Yogi Adityanath supported the need for the Waqf Amendment Bill, 2025, which was approved by the Lok Sabha yesterday.
The Waqf board was making "arbitrary statements" that the land was theirs during the Maha Kumbh, according to Yogi Adityanath, who also questioned whether the board was a "Land Mafia board."
"Some people did not want a mythological place like Prayagraj to gain its identity because their vote bank was important for them," CM Yogi Adityanath stated while attending a program held in Prayagaraj on the occasion of Nishadraj Guha Jayanti. They have attempted to seize land in Prayagraj and other places under the guise of Waqf. The Waqf Board made arbitrary claims that the area of Kumbh in Prayagraj was also Waqf land when we were planning Maha Kumbh. Is it the 'Land Mafia' Board or the Waqf Board?
Yogi Adityanath stated that the bill will also be approved by the Rajya Sabha and congratulated Prime Minister Modi and Home Minister Amit Shah for "putting a check" on the Waqf board.
"The mafia in Uttar Pradesh has already been eradicated... By passing this significant measure in the Lok Sabha, Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Home Minister Amit Shah have done charity work and put a check on the Waqf Board, for which we are thankful. It will also be approved by the Rajya Sabha today," Yogi Adityanath stated.
Kiren Rijiju, Union Parliamentary Affairs, tabled a motion in the Rajya Sabha on Thursday to consider the Musalmaan Wakf (Repeal) Bill and the Waqf (Amendment) Bill of 2025.
A day after passing with a majority in the Lok Sabha, the Waqf (Amendment) Bill, 2025 is presented in the Rajya Sabha. Following a 12-hour debate in the Lower House, the Bill was approved with 288 votes in favor and 232 against.
The goal of the bill is to enhance the management and administration of waqf properties in India by amending the Act of 1995. By strengthening the registration procedure and expanding the use of technology in Waqf record management, it seeks to improve the effectiveness of Waqf boards and address the flaws of the previous act.
