India, April 4 -- The contentious Waqf (Amendment) Bill, which provides for sweeping changes in regulating and managing Islamic charitable endowments, was passed in the Rajya Sabha after a marathon debate and a face-off between the government and the Opposition. As many as 128 lawmakers voted in favour of the bill and 95 against it.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday called the passage "a watershed moment" in the "collective quest for socio-economic justice, transparency and inclusive growth". He said the legislation will particularly help those who have long remained on the margins, thus being denied both voice and opportunity.

In a post on X, he said, "For decades, the waqf system was synonymous with lack of transparency and accou...