New Delhi [India], April 2: Congress leader and Lok Sabha Leader of Opposition (LoP) Rahul Gandhi on Wednesday held discussions with party MPs regarding their stance on the Waqf (Amendment) Bill 2025, which is set to be tabled in Parliament today.
The meeting, attended by senior Congress leaders including Gaurav Gogoi, KC Venugopal, Shashi Tharoor, Manish Tewari, and K Suresh, focused on strategizing to oppose the bill. Congress MP Karti Chidambaram criticized the government’s approach, stating that Waqf properties are donated voluntarily for religious purposes and that the bill should be passed with sensitivity rather than as a political move.
Earlier in the day, Congress MP Imran Pratapgarhi staged a protest at Makar Dwar, wearing a black kurta and holding a placard that read “Reject Waqf Bill.” Meanwhile, Congress MP K Suresh reaffirmed that the INDIA bloc remains united in its opposition, with Joint Parliamentary Committee (JPC) members also deciding against the bill.
Congress leader Khaleequr Rahman condemned the bill as unconstitutional, while Samajwadi Party MP Ram Gopal Yadav described the amendments as “dictatorial and unconstitutional.” He emphasized that while the ruling party has the majority to pass the bill, opposition leaders want a thorough discussion to highlight its implications for the public.
As the bill is tabled, the BJP-led NDA and the opposition INDIA bloc are expected to engage in a heated debate, with the final decision likely to be determined by the majority vote in the House.