Minority Affairs News - Latest Updates & Headlines
Pvt Haj tour operators' quota for 10,000 pilgrims restored as govt seeks Saudi help
New Delhi, April 15: With the intervention of the Indian government, the Saudi Haj Ministry has offered a lifeline to private Haj operators whose quota of sending about 10,000 pilgrims faced cancellation due to delayed documentation, an official said on Tuesday.
India's Haj quota rises to 1.75 lakh in 2025: Minority Affairs Ministry
New Delhi, April 15: The Minority Affairs Ministry on Tuesday said that India's Haj quota for the year 2025 is 1,75,025, a rise from 1,36,020 in 2014- the same year when Prime Minister Narendra Modi first took charge.
Haj 2025: Indian officials review arrangements in Saudi Arabia
New Delhi/Riyadh, April 12: Setting the tone for Haj 2025, Secretary of the Ministry of Minority Affairs Dr Chandra Shekhar Kumar is currently on a visit to Saudi Arabia to review preparations for this year's pilgrimage, an official said on Saturday.
Like earlier Waqf legislations, UMEED Act aims for social welfare: Minority Affairs Ministry
New Delhi, April 7: The enactment of the Unified Waqf Management, Empowerment, Efficiency, and Development Act, 2025 (UMEED Act) last week marks a turning point in reforms carried out in Waqf laws between 1913 and 2025 for social benefit from Waqf properties, said an official on Monday.
Those who did not understand.... Kiren Rijiju on Waqf Amendment Act
Srinagar, April 7: Taking a veiled dig at the opposition, Union Minority Affairs Minister Kiren Rijiju stated on Sunday that those who do not understand the Waqf (Amendment) Bill are unhappy.
Bihar: BJP leader defends Waqf (Amendment) Bill, slams critics
Patna, April 3: BJP leader Rituraj Sinha has strongly defended the Waqf (Amendment) Bill, congratulating Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Home Minister Amit Shah, Minority Affairs Minister Kiren Rijiju, and all MPs who supported the Bill in Parliament.
End to injustice, corruption: Amit Shah lauds passage of Waqf Amendment Bill
New Delhi, April 4: Union Home Minister Amit Shah on Friday said that the passage of the Waqf Amendment Bill has ended "injustice" and "corruption". He said an era of justice and equality has commenced as the Parliament approved amendments to the Waqf Act.
Parliament passes Waqf (Amendment) Bill 2025 after 2-days heated debate
New Delhi, April 4: The Parliament passed the Waqf Amendment Bill 2025 in the early hours of Friday after a marathon and heated debate.
Opposition trying to mislead people on Waqf Amendment Bill, will benefit crores of Muslims: Rijiju in Rajya Sabha
New Delhi, April 4: Union Minority Affairs Minister Kiren Rijiju on Thursday accused the opposition parties of trying to mislead people on the Waqf Amendment Bill and said it will benefit crores of people from the Muslim community.
5,970 govt properties including lakes declared as Waqf assets over the decades: J.P. Nadda
New Delhi, April 3: Highlighting transparency and accountability as corner stones of the Waqf (Amendment) Bill, 2024, Leader of Rajya Sabha and Union Minister J.P. Nadda on Thursday said that over the decades, 5,970 government properties had been declared as Waqf assets through misuse of the existing law.
Waqf Bill introduced to divert attention of majority community: Ashok Gehlot
Jaipur, April 3: Former Rajasthan Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot has strongly criticised the passing of the Waqf (Amendment) Bill 2024 in the Lower House of Parliament, saying that the Bill has been introduced to divert the attention of the majority community from real issues.
Vijay's TVK to hold protest against Waqf Bill in Tamil Nadu tomorrow
Chennai, April 3: Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK), led by Tamil superstar Vijay, has announced a statewide protest on Friday, demanding the repeal of the Waqf (Amendment) Bill, 2025.
No non-Muslim can interfere in Waqf Board: Kiren Rijiju (Ld)
New Delhi, April 3: Union Minority Affairs Minister Kiren Rijiju on Thursday dismissed allegations that the Waqf (Amendment) Bill, 2025, would harm Muslim interests. He asserted that non-Muslims cannot interfere in the Waqf Board’s affairs as its management and beneficiaries would be only Muslims.
Rijiju presents Waqf Bill in RS, lists 'positive' amendments as compared to UPA
New Delhi, April 3: Minister of Minority Affairs Kiren Rijiju introduced the Waqf (Amendment) Bill in Rajya Sabha on Thursday, a day after the Lok Sabha cleared it following a 12-hour long marathon debate.
Kiren Rijiju moves motion for consideration of Waqf (Amendment) Bill in Rajya Sabha
New Delhi, April 3: Union Parliamentary Affairs Kiren Rijiju on Thursday moved a motion for consideration of the Waqf (Amendment) Bill of 2025 and the Musalmaan Wakf (Repeal) Bill in the Rajya Sabha.
Waqf Amendment Bill will not be implemented retrospectively, misconceptions being spread for vote bank politics: Amit Shah in Lok Sabha
New Delhi, April 2: Union Home Minister Amit Shah on Wednesday rejected opposition members' criticism that the government wants to interfere in the religious conduct of Muslims through the Waqf Amendment Bill and said the provisions in the legislation aim at better management of Waqf properties.
Most draconian Waqf section 40 to be done away with: Kiren Rijiju
New Delhi, April 2: Union Minister for Minority Affairs Kiren Rijiju on Wednesday said the Waqf (Amendment) Bill, 2025, proposes to repeal Section 40 of the 1995 Act, as it gives the boards power to decide on a property.
Bill not linked to religion, it's prospective and not retrospective: Kiren Rijiju flays naysayers
New Delhi, April 2: Union Minister for Minority Affairs Kiren Rijiju on Wednesday tore into the Opposition for ‘spreading falsehood’ over the Waqf Amendment Bill and urged the ‘doubters and naysayers’ to refrain from misleading the people on the proposed reforms.
Why Waqf properties not used for education, medical treatment and income generation for poor Muslims: Kiren Rijiju
New Delhi, April 2: Introducing the Waqf Amendment Bill, 2025, in Lok Sabha, Union Minister Kiren Rijiju on Wednesday questioned why Waqf properties haven't been used for the development of the nation and Muslims.
Lok Sabha begins discussion on Waqf (Amendment) Bill, 2025
New Delhi, April 2: Lok Sabha on Wednesday took up for consideration the Waqf (Amendment) Bill, 2025, which incorporates suggestions made by the Joint Parliamentary Committee that examined the bill tabled in Parliament in August last year.
Waqf (Amendment) Bill to be tabled at noon on April 2, eight hours allocated for discussion: Kiren Rijiju
New Delhi, April 1: The Waqf (Amendment) Bill will be tabled in the Lok Sabha on April 2 (Wednesday) soon after the Question Hour and will be followed by a comprehensive and detailed discussion extending up to eight hours, said Parliamentary Affairs Minister Kiren Rijiju on Tuesday.
Lok Sabha Business Advisory Committee meeting to be held today: Sources
New Delhi, April 1: With the government slated to table the revised Waqf Amendment Bill in Parliament this week, the meeting of the Business Advisory Committee (BAC) of Lok Sabha will be chaired on Tuesday, the sources said.
Minority Affairs Minister Kiren Rijiju launches project for Sikh community under PM VIKAS scheme
New Delhi, March 29: Minister of Minority Affairs and Parliamentary Affairs Kiren Rijiju launched a project under the Pradhan Mantri Virasat Ka Samvardhan (PM VIKAS) scheme aimed at empowering the Sikh community through skill development, employment generation, and financial support.
Literacy rate among Muslims 79.5 per cent, other religions 80.9: Minority Affairs Ministry
New Delhi, March 10: As per Annual Report, Periodic Labour Force Survey (PLFS), 2023-24, the literacy rate among Muslims is 79.5 per cent for persons aged 7 years and above, while literacy rate for all religions for the same age group is 80.9 per cent, the Parliament was informed on Monday.
Cabinet approves proposed changes to Waqf Bill, clears decks for tabling in Parliament: Sources
New Delhi, Feb 27: The Union Cabinet has approved the amendments to the Waqf (Amendment) Bill, incorporating the changes recently recommended by the Joint Parliamentary Committee (JPC), sources said on Thursday.
Union Minister Kiren Rijiju attends Haj Walkathon 2025
New Delhi, February 19: The Union Minister for Minority Affairs and Parliamentary Affairs Kiren Rijiju attended the Haj Walkathon 2025 as the Chief Guest at Nawab Mansur Ali Khan Pataudi Sports Complex, Jamia Millia Islamia University in New Delhi on Tuesday.
Congress MP highlights procedural failures & redaction of dissent notes in JPC report on Waqf Bill
New Delhi, Feb 13: Congress Rajya Sabha MP Syed Naseer Hussain on Thursday raised serious concerns in the Rajya Sabha over procedural lapses and the redaction of dissent notes in the Joint Parliamentary Committee (JPC) report on the Waqf (Amendment) Bill. His remarks ignited a fierce debate as opposition members vehemently opposed the handling of the report and its contentious provisions.
Kashmiri Pandits meet Kiren Rijiju, demand minority status, reopening of Sharda Peeth
New Delhi, February 3: All India Kashmiri Samaj (AIKS), led by its president Ravinder Pandita, met with Kiren Rijiju, the Minister of Minority Affairs and Parliamentary Affairs, in New Delhi today.
Fortunate to come here, says Rijiju on visiting Ajmer Sharif Dargah
Ajmer, January 4: Union Minister of Minority Affairs Kiren Rijiju on Saturday offered a chadar on behalf of Prime Minister Narendra Modi at Ajmer Sharif Dargah. He called himself "fortunate" for visiting Dargah and gave out PM Modi's message of "brotherhood."
Union Minister of Minority Affairs Kiren Rijiju reaches Ajmer Sharif Dargah to offer chadar
Ajmer, January 4: Union Minister of Minority Affairs Kiren Rijiju on Saturday reached Ajmer to offer chadar on behalf of Prime Minister Narendra Modi at Ajmer Sharif Dargah. He said that the intent behind the visit is "reinforcing the message of unity".