PM Modi Fulfilling Lalu Yadav's 'Wishes' On Waqf Bill, Opposition Failed to Act: Amit Shah In Parliament

Union Home Minister Amit Shah stated on Wednesday that Prime Minister Narendra Modi is fulfilling the wishes of Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) chief Lalu Prasad regarding the Waqf Bill, while accusing the Opposition of failing to do so.

Speaking during the debate in the Lok Sabha on the Waqf (Amendment) Bill, 2025, Amit Shah remarked that the new legislation might not have been necessary if the Waqf (Amendment) Act had not been passed in 2013 under the Congress-led UPA II government.

Photo Credit: PTI

Shah recalled that when amendments to the Waqf Act were introduced in 2013, Lalu Prasad had advocated for a stricter law and harsher punishment for those involved in wrongdoing.

He proceeded to quote Lalu Yadav's speech in Parliament, stating, "We welcome the amendment bill presented by the government. I support the statements made by (BJP leader) Shahnawaz Hussain and others. Most of the land has been grabbed, be it government-owned or otherwise. People in the Waqf Board have sold all of prime land. In Patna, apartments have been constructed on Dak Bungalow property. We support the amendments, but we want you (the UPA II government) to bring in a strict law in the future..."

Looking towards the opposition benches, the Home Minister remarked that the Narendra Modi government is now delivering on Lalu Yadav's demands.

"Lalu Prasad's wishes were not fulfilled by them, but Narendra Modi is doing it," Shah told the Lok Sabha.

During his speech, Shah also accused the Opposition of spreading fear regarding the Waqf (Amendment) Bill.

"No non-Islamic member will be a part of Waqf. There is neither any provision for the appointment of a non-Muslim to manage the religious institution, nor do we intend to introduce any such provision," Shah asserted.

He further added, "A rumour is being spread that this Act is aimed at interfering with the religious practices of our Muslim brothers and their donated property. This is being done to intimidate the minorities."