Jammu and Kashmir Assembly Speaker Abdul Rahim Rather has strongly criticized the passage of the Waqf (Amendment) Bill, 2025, calling it a direct violation of the Indian Constitution. The Speaker raised concerns that the bill goes against Section 25, which guarantees the Right to Religion, warning against interference in personal and religious matters.
Rather’s remarks come in the wake of the Indian Parliament’s passage of the controversial bill after a 12-hour marathon debate. While the BJP-led National Democratic Alliance (NDA) defended the bill, claiming it would benefit minorities, opposition parties have fiercely criticized it, labeling it as “anti-Muslim”.
“It is not good to interfere in anybody’s religion or personal affairs,” Rather said, adding that such actions could set a dangerous precedent. His comments reflect growing concerns that the legislation may undermine the autonomy of Muslim religious institutions, a point that has been heavily contested by critics.
The Waqf (Amendment) Bill, 2025 has triggered widespread reactions across political and religious circles, with opposition parties vowing to challenge it in the Supreme Court, calling it an attack on the fundamental rights of the Muslim community.
