Union Minister of State for Social Justice and Empowerment, Ramdas Athawale, supported the Waqf (Amendment) Bill, 2025 in the Rajya Sabha. During the speech, the minister criticised the Congress and defended the bill, in his signature style, using poetic couplets.
He recited: “Waqf Bill ka hum karte hai smaran, Lekin opposition ko hum kar denge haran. Modiji hai Musalmanon ke sacche wali, Kharge sahib bajao zor-dar tali. Mat dedo roz Modiji ko gaali, Nahi toh kursi karo khaali. Virodhi dalon ki raat ho rahi kaali, Nadda sahab bajao aap bhi tali...”
Athawale said that around 90% of Muslims would benefit from the bill and that it is not unconstitutional. He added: “Modiji toh Musalmanon ki baat karte hain, Lekin Congress wale toh Musalmanon ka aghat karte hain. Modiji toh gareebon ki baat karte hain, Aur unhone hamesha Muslims, minorities ki baat ki hai.”
He has done it in the past
Athawale has previously used poetry in Parliament to express his political views. During the discussion, he also said: “Itni ho gayi hai raat, Mai kar raha hu Waqf Bill par baat, Mai de raha hu Modi ji ko saath, Isiliye mai Congress ko dikha raha hu haath.”
Rajya Sabha passed the Waqf Bill
The Rajya Sabha passed the Waqf (Amendment) Bill, 2025. The Bill seeks to amend the Waqf Act of 1995. It includes provisions to improve the registration and management of waqf properties, and increase the use of technology in maintaining waqf records.
The Bill was passed after incorporating suggestions from the Joint Parliamentary Committee. Prime Minister Narendra Modi said that the new amendments will help marginalised groups, including Muslim women and Pasmanda Muslims, and bring more transparency and accountability in the waqf system.
