Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath hit out at the Waqf, stating that he is grateful to the prime minister for putting a check on the Waqf Board.
While addressing a gathering, the Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister said, “Some people did not want a ‘Pauranik’ place like Prayagraj to gain its identity because their vote bank was important for them… In the name of Waqf, they had tried to capture the land here in Prayagraj and other cities as well. When we were organising Maha Kumbh, the Waqf Board made arbitrary statements that the land of Kumbh in Prayagraj was also Waqf land. Is it the Waqf Board or the ‘Land Mafia’ Board? We have already wiped the mafia out of Uttar Pradesh… We are grateful to Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Home Minister Amit Shah for putting a check on the Waqf Board and doing welfare work by passing this important act in the Lok Sabha. Today, it will be passed in the Rajya Sabha as well.”
#WATCH | Prayagraj, UP | On the #WaqfAmendmentBill passed in the Lok Sabha, Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath says, "Some people did not want a 'Pauranik' place like Prayagraj to gain its identity because their vote bank was important for them… In the name of Waqf,… pic.twitter.com/WdfWsmQ9ry
---Advertisement---— ANI (@ANI) April 3, 2025
Prayagraj has transformed into a ‘Smart City’
The chief minister said that pilgrims were overwhelmed after witnessing the arrangements of Mahakumbh 2025 in Prayagraj. He claimed that Prayagraj has transformed into a “smart city” after the Maha Kumbh religious event.
Lok Sabha passed the Waqf Amendment Bill 2025
The Lok Sabha passed the Waqf Amendment Bill 2025 on Thursday after a marathon and heated debate during which members of INDIA bloc fiercely opposed the legislation while BJP and its allies in strongly supported it, saying it will bring transparency and enhance the efficiency of Waqf boards.
The bill was passed after amendments made by the opposition members were negatived. The House sat beyond midnight to pass the legislation.
After a reply to the debate by Parliamentary Affairs Minister Kiren Rijiju, Speaker Om Birla announced that the House is taking up item no 12 in the listed business – The Waqf (Amendment) Bill, 2025 – for a decision of the House. He said the question is whether the bill should be taken up for consideration and then said the lobbies should be cleared.
Result of division
He later announced the result of division. “Subject to correction, Ayes 288, Noes 232. The majority is in favour of the proposal,” he said.
Parties in INDIA bloc had decided to oppose the bill and their members voted accordingly. They also pressed for division on some amendments. An amendment was negatived with 231 members voting in favour and 238 against it.