Apr 4, 2025 07:16 IST First published on: Apr 4, 2025 at 07:16 IST Share Parliament has discussed the Waqf Amendment Bill. In the House of the People, the debate ran well past midnight, 288 MPs voted in favour, 232 against. Those, there, are the bare facts. But rewind to the debates in both Houses, listen in, and an impression is inescapable: The deliberation in Parliament was not, really, about amending the 1995 Act regarding the administration, management and regulation of waqf properties across the country. It was also much wider than the shorthand summary of each side of the debate makes it out to be. Curbing corruption, reforming by improving efficiency, transparency and accountability, on the government’s side. Discriminating between Muslims and other religions, dividing and marginalising Muslims, undermining constitutionally guaranteed rights and freedoms of minorities, according to the mostly united Opposition. Even as elements in the bill promote transparency, specific provisions raise questions — be it the inclusion of non-Muslims in the state Waqf Boards and the Central Waqf Council, or the expansion …