Daijiworld Media Network - New Delhi
New Delhi, Apr 6: The recently concluded Budget Session of the Rajya Sabha witnessed a remarkable chapter in its parliamentary history. The intense and comprehensive deliberation surrounding the Waqf (Amendment) Bill has not only marked a significant moment in the legislative process but has also established a new record for the longest continuous discussion ever held in the Upper House.
The Rajya Sabha's scrutiny of the Waqf Bill 2025 was characterized by an unprecedented level of engagement, including robust exchanges, stretching for an uninterrupted period exceeding 17 hours. This remarkable duration surpassed the previous record set in 1981 during a debate on the Essential Services Maintenance Act (ESMA).
Parliamentary Affairs Minister Kiren Rijiju celebrated this milestone on social media, acknowledging the key figures who facilitated this extended discussion. In a post on X, Rijiju shared photographs alongside Minister of State Arjun Ram Meghwal, Minister of State L. Murugan, the Secretary, Additional Secretary, and Joint Secretary of the Ministry of Parliamentary Affairs. His message highlighted the achievement: "Discussion on Waqf Amendment Bill for 17 hours, 2 minutes in Rajya Sabha broke the earlier record time discussion on ESMA (16 hours 55 Minutes) created in 1981!"
The penultimate day of the Budget Session, April 3rd, saw the Rajya Sabha convene for its longest single sitting in history, commencing at 11:00 a.m. on Thursday and continuing until 4:02 a.m. the following morning.
Following the Bill's successful passage in both houses of Parliament, Minister Rijiju addressed the media on Friday, lauding it as a new benchmark in parliamentary proceedings and a testament to substantive debate conducted without disruptions. The Lok Sabha had cleared the Bill a day prior after its own extensive 12-hour discussion.
Rajya Sabha Chairman Jagdeep Dhankhar also hailed the passage of the Waqf (Amendment) Bill, 2025, as a "historic legislation," emphasizing its significance as a powerful demonstration of the achievements possible through dialogue and shared objectives. Dhankhar commended the members of the Upper House for their participation in this "unprecedented" sitting, stating that "The Rajya Sabha etched its name in the annals of legislative history." He further elaborated, "The sitting began at 11 a.m. on April 3 and continued till 4.02 a.m. the next that is, this day. The longest in its history," acknowledging the members' 17-hour commitment to debating the legislation.
Chairman Dhankhar expressed his belief that this achievement "would send a very great message to people at large and enhance belief in this great institution," adding that "The Rajya Sabha has, once again, set the democratic standards worth emulation by others."
Overall, during the Budget Session, the Rajya Sabha conducted business for a total of 159 hours, achieving a productivity rate of 119 per cent.