Waqf bill aimed at marginalising Muslims: Rahul Gandhi

Leader of Opposition in Lok Sabha on Wednesday, 2 March, called the a weapon, aimed at marginalising Muslims and usurping their personal laws and property rights.

In a post on X, the Congress leader said, "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."

He added, "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."

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.…

— Rahul Gandhi (@RahulGandhi) April 2, 2025

Congress MP said the INDIA bloc will oppose the proposed changes to the Waqf law and called the bill an attack on the basic structure of the Constitution.

He accused the government of misleading Parliament, referencing past discussions on the matter.

"This bill is an attack on the basic structure of our Constitution, an attack on our federal structure, and has four primary objectives: to dilute the Constitution, to defame minority communities, to divide Indian society, and to disenfranchise minorities," he alleged.

Samajwadi Party chief claimed that the bill was a BJP ploy for polarisation following its reverses in the 2024 Lok Sabha polls. He claimed the bill would send a wrong message to the world and dent the country's secular image.

The bill will prove to be a "Waterloo" for the BJP as some of its allies might be claiming to support the legislation but inside they are not happy about it, he said.

Participating in the debate, AIMIM chief Asaduddin Owaisi staged a symbolic protest by tearing up a copy of the bill.

The Lok Sabha passed the Waqf (Amendment) Bill late in night after a 12-hour debate.

The bill was passed after all amendments moved by the Opposition members were rejected by voice votes. It was passed after division of votes -- 288 in favour and 232 against.

The bill will now come up in the Rajya Sabha on Thursday.

The Waqf Amendment Bill 2024 infringes on the rights of the minorities of this country. It was presented in such a way that this is the one and only solution and remedy for the minorities of this country. The bill will destroy the secular fabric of the country; it is… pic.twitter.com/2JWftZgCKS

— Congress (@INCIndia) April 2, 2025