New Delhi: Congress leader Rahul Gandhi on Thursday strongly criticised the passage of the Waqf (Amendment) Bill, calling it an “attack on constitutional and minority rights.”
A day after the bill was cleared in the Lok Sabha following a marathon 12-hour debate, Gandhi accused the BJP-led government of pushing the legislation through without proper consultations and alleged that it was part of a broader strategy to “undermine federalism and target a specific community.”
“The BJP has once again bulldozed a crucial bill without listening to concerns. This is not just about Waqf; it is about the government’s larger agenda of controlling institutions and weakening constitutional safeguards,” Gandhi said.
He posted on X, “The Waqf (Amendment) Bill is a weapon aimed at marginalising Muslims and usurping their personal laws and property rights. This attack on the Constitution by the RSS, BJP and their allies is aimed at Muslims today but sets a precedent to target other communities in the future. The Congress party strongly opposes this legislation as it attacks the very idea of India and violates Article 25, the Right to Freedom of Religion.”
His remarks came after the bill, which was passed with 288 votes in favor and 232 against, triggered strong reactions from the opposition. The Congress and its allies had argued that the amendments encroach upon the rights of Waqf boards and undermine the role of state governments in managing Islamic endowments.
In response, Home Minister Amit Shah dismissed Gandhi’s accusations, calling them “baseless fearmongering.” “This bill strengthens the management of Waqf properties and brings in transparency. The opposition is misleading people because they have no real arguments,” Shah said.
The Waqf (Amendment) Bill, which has been renamed the Unified Waqf Management Empowerment, Efficiency, and Development (UMEED) Bill, was introduced by Minority Affairs Minister Kiren Rijiju. The government maintains that the bill aims to streamline Waqf management and address past loopholes.
Despite fierce opposition, the bill has now been passed in Parliament, with the BJP defending it as a necessary reform while the Congress continues to challenge its intent and impact.
