A fiery debate unfolded in the Lok Sabha as Parliamentary Affairs Minister Kiren Rijiju introduced the Waqf Amendment Bill, citing instances of alleged illegal Waqf property claims across India. Rijiju made a strong case for the bill, pointing out that lands belonging to temples, Sikh Gurudwaras, and other non-Muslim sites had been wrongfully declared as Waqf properties over the years.

"…I told you about Sundereshwar temple. When no other religion existed, the Surendereshwar temple was there in Tiruchenthurai village in Tamil Nadu. The temple was declared as Waqf property. In Karnataka, thousands of acres of land, in Yamunanagar, Haryana, the land of the Sikh Gurudwara, where there was never a mosque or any Muslim settlement record, was also declared as Waqf property…" Rijiju stated, highlighting the controversial nature of these claims.

#WATCH | After introducing the Waqf Amendment Bill in Lok Sabha, Parliamentary Affairs Minister Kiren Rijiju says "...I told you about Sundereshwar temple. When no other religion existed, the Surendereshwar temple was there in Tiruchenthurai village in Tamil Nadu. The temple was… pic.twitter.com/FR2aQMNoWn

— ANI (@ANI) April 2, 2025

The Minister further expressed gratitude to Prime Minister Narendra Modi for allowing him to present such a bill, emphasizing that it would benefit millions of poor Muslims by bringing transparency to Waqf property management. "I consider myself very fortunate that PM Modi has given an ordinary member like me the opportunity to present such a bill. Millions of poor Muslims will bless me for this effort. Why should I take these blessings alone? You should receive them too. Support this bill, this is my sincere request to you all," he urged fellow parliamentarians.