On Wednesday night, AIMIM chief Asaduddin Owaisi tore a copy of the Waqf Amendment Bill after it was presented in the Lok Sabha. During a symbolic protest in Parliament, the Hyderabad MP referred to Mahatma Gandhi’s time in South Africa. However, his move did not go well with several members of the ruling party.

BJP MP and Joint Parliamentary Committee Chairman Jagadambika Pal slammed Asaduddin Owaisi’s protest, calling it unconstitutional after he tore a copy of the Bill. Union Minister for Minority Affairs, Kiren Rijiju, also condemned the act. He pointed out that Owaisi had questioned why provisions were made for Muslim children under the Waqf but not for Hindu children. In addition to members of the ruling party, Shadab Shams, the head of the Uttarakhand Waqf Board, has also criticised Owaisi's action. Shams said that while protesting is permitted, there must be some bounds, calling it an "insult" to the constitution. "Those opposing the amendments to the concerned Act were the 'Waqf mafia,' and they feared their properties would go to the poor Muslims," he added, urging the Muslim community not to be duped by Owaisi.  

According to a PTI report, the AIMIM leader mentioned that if one looks into history, they will find what Mahatma Gandhi had said about the laws in white-ruled South Africa. Citing an example of Gandhi, Owaisi remarked that his conscience doesn't accept it and tore it up. “Like Gandhi, I am also tearing up this law. This is unconstitutional. The BJP wants to create divisiveness in this country in the name of temples and mosques. I condemn this and I request you to accept the 10 amendments,” he said. Owaisi, along with other opposition leaders, has called the Bill ‘anti-Muslim’.

Several opposition leaders argued that the Waqf Amendment Bill, 2025, threatens the independence of waqf institutions. Owaisi also claimed that it would restrict Muslim rights and lead to unfair treatment. After a 12-hour debate, the Lok Sabha passed the bill late Wednesday night with a majority of 288 votes. The bill, which aims to improve the management of waqf properties in the country, will be presented in the Rajya Sabha today.