Sonia Gandhi slams Waqf Bill passage calls it an attack on the Constitution
K N Mishra
03/Apr/2025

What's covered under the Article:
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Sonia Gandhi slams the passage of the Waqf Amendment Bill 2025 calling it an attack on the Constitution and a divisive move by BJP.
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Congress leaders including Imran Pratapgarhi and Imran Masood criticize the bill alleging it diverts attention from key economic issues.
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The bill is set for discussion in Rajya Sabha today with Congress leaders prepared to challenge its legality and fairness.
The Waqf Amendment Bill 2025, passed in the Lok Sabha on Wednesday, has triggered a political storm, with Congress leader Sonia Gandhi strongly condemning its passage. According to her, the bill is a brazen assault on the Constitution and a part of the BJP’s deliberate strategy to keep the society in a state of permanent polarization.
Sonia Gandhi, a senior Congress MP, expressed deep concerns over the manner in which the bill was handled in Parliament. She accused the ruling BJP of bulldozing the legislation without proper discussion. The bill, which is set to be discussed in the Rajya Sabha today, has already led to fierce opposition from the INDIA alliance, which sees it as a targeted attack on minority communities.
Opposition’s Strong Reaction to Waqf Bill Passage
Several Congress MPs, including Imran Pratapgarhi, Imran Masood, and Syed Naseer Hussain, have spoken out against the bill. Imran Pratapgarhi highlighted the timing of the bill, calling it a strategic move to distract the public from the US reciprocal tariff announcement.
"Parliament was in session until 2 am, and around 1:30 am, the US imposed a 26% tariff on Indian products. Instead of addressing this serious economic issue, the BJP government conveniently pushed the Waqf Bill to shift focus," Pratapgarhi alleged.
Legal Challenge and Future Course of Action
Imran Masood, a Congress MP and a member of the Joint Parliamentary Committee (JPC) on the bill, condemned the way the bill was passed. He claimed that the Constitution is being "crushed" and that the ruling government is using its majority numbers to push controversial legislation without proper debate.
He also hinted at legal challenges against the bill, saying, "We will not stop our fight here. We will take this matter to the courts and ensure that justice prevails."
Congress and INDIA Alliance Stand United
Congress MP Syed Naseer Hussain echoed similar sentiments, emphasizing that the INDIA alliance stood united in opposing the bill. According to him, the difference in votes between the INDIA alliance and the NDA was not significant, which shows that there is strong opposition to the bill even within Parliament.
"The bill is unconstitutional, unfair, and deliberately targeted at a particular community. It does not stand the test of fairness, and that is why we opposed it vociferously in the Lok Sabha," Hussain stated.
BJP’s Justification and Next Steps
The BJP and its allies, however, defended the bill, stating that it was introduced to bring transparency and efficiency to Waqf boards. According to the ruling party, the amendments will enhance governance and eliminate corruption in the management of Waqf properties.
Despite BJP’s defense, the Congress and other opposition parties remain unconvinced. With the Rajya Sabha set to discuss the bill today, the political battle is expected to intensify. The Congress has been allocated approximately 45 minutes during the debate, and Nasir Hussain will be the first speaker from the party, followed by Abhishek Manu Singhvi and Imran Pratapgarhi.
Political and Social Implications
The passage of the Waqf Amendment Bill 2025 has reignited the debate over BJP’s approach to minority issues and legislative processes. Many in the opposition view this as a deliberate move to consolidate BJP’s voter base by creating divisions.
The Congress and its allies argue that such legislation, instead of fostering unity, creates unnecessary friction in society. They assert that the government should focus on economic recovery, foreign trade challenges, and employment instead of pushing divisive bills.
Conclusion
As the bill heads to the Rajya Sabha, the Congress and other opposition parties have vowed to fight against it both politically and legally. With the 2024 General Elections still fresh in memory, political observers believe that such contentious legislation could have long-term electoral implications.
The fate of the Waqf Amendment Bill 2025 now rests in the hands of the Rajya Sabha, and the country will be closely watching how the debate unfolds. Whether the bill advances or faces resistance, its impact on Indian politics is already evident.
The political fight over the bill reflects broader concerns about constitutional values, parliamentary ethics, and electoral strategies. As opposition leaders prepare their legal challenge, the question remains: Will the bill withstand judicial scrutiny, or will it be struck down as unconstitutional?