New Delhi: Vanvasi Kalyan Ashram (VKA), the tribal wing of the Rashtriya Swayamsewak Sangh (RSS) congratulated the Centre for protecting tribal land in Waqf (Amendment) Bill, 2025, which was passed in both Houses of the Parliament in last two days.
In its press release dated April 3, the VKA claimed that many Waqf lands and properties were registered to violate the constitution. “The Vanvasi Kalyan Ashram had submitted memorandums before the Joint Parliamentary Committee (JPC) at various locations across the country, presenting its position. In states with tribal areas under the Fifth and Sixth Schedules of the Constitution, a large number of waqf lands and properties have been registered, in violation of the Constitution and laws,” it said.
The release added, “Upon discovering this issue, the JPC recommended in its report to the Government that provisions be included in the Waqf Bill to protect tribal lands.
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‘Development a result of continuous efforts of Vanvasi Kalyan Ashram’
“This development is the result of the continuous efforts of the Vanvasi Kalyan Ashram over the past 15 days. Kiran Rijiju, the Minister for Minority Affairs, announced in the Lok Sabha that tribal lands in states under the Fifth and Sixth Schedules would remain outside the purview of Waqf. With this provision, the bill was passed in the Lok Sabha,” the VKA noted further while expressing gratitude to the Centre.
The Amendment Bill was passed in Lok Sabha on Wednesday and a day later in Raja Sabha. In Lok Sabha, the bill was supported by 288 members while 232 members voted against it. Similarly in Rajya Sabha, the bill was supported by 128 members and was opposed by 95.
