Rahul Gandhi Says Waqf Bill 'Attacks' Muslims, Sets Precedent To 'Target Other Communities'

Last Updated:April 05, 2025, 17:26 IST

Rahul Gandhi shared an article claiming that the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) had now shifted focus to Catholic Church land after the successful passage of the Waqf Bill.

Congress leader Rahul Gandhi. (Image/PTI)

Congress leader and Leader of Opposition in Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi on Saturday reiterated that the Waqf (Amendment) Bill, which was cleared by both Houses of the Parliament, is a tool for “attacking Muslims" and “sets a precedent to target other communities" as well.

The Waqf (Amendment) Bill, which seeks to alter the functioning of the Waqf board and properties, was passed in the Rajya Sabha with 128 votes in favour and 95 opposing it, following a 13-hour debate going past midnight. It was cleared in the Lok Sabha in a 288-232 vote after a 12-hour debate.

However, Rahul Gandhi shared an article on X, which claimed that the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) had now shifted focus to Catholic Church land after the successful passage of the Waqf Bill.

“I had said that the Waqf Bill attacks Muslims now but sets a precedent to target other communities in the future. It didn’t take long for the RSS to turn its attention to Christians," Gandhi said in the post. “The Constitution is the only shield that protects our people from such attacks – and it is our collective duty to defend it."

Congress has vociferously slammed the Waqf Bill as “unconstitutional" and “anti-democratic", arguing that the government was interfering with the personal matters of India’s religious minorities. The Congress also opposed the appointment of non-Muslims in the Waqf Board.

When the bill was cleared by the Lok Sabha, Rahul Gandhi said, “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."

After the bill cleared the Parliament test, Prime Minister Narendra Modi hailed it as a “watershed moment", saying that this step would help the marginalised, who have been “denied both voice and opportunity."

The Waqf Amendment Bill proposes an amendment to the 1995 Act with the goal of improving the administration and management of Waqf properties in India. It aims to address the limitations of the earlier legislation, improve the efficiency of Waqf boards, simplify the registration process, and introduce technology to better manage Waqf records.

News india Rahul Gandhi Says Waqf Bill 'Attacks' Muslims, Sets Precedent To 'Target Other Communities'