Mayawati Slams Rahul Gandhi for Silence on Waqf Bill, Calls Congress and BJP Equally Guilty of Deceiving Minorities

Lucknow: Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) chief Mayawati on Saturday launched a scathing attack on Leader of Opposition in Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi for remaining silent during the debate on the controversial Waqf (Amendment) Bill in Parliament.

In a sharp post on X (formerly Twitter), the former Uttar Pradesh chief minister questioned Gandhi’s decision to not speak on the bill, despite what she called an “extensive debate” in the House. “Despite the Opposition denouncing the Waqf (Amendment) Bill and calling it a constitutional violation like the CAA, is the LoP’s silence justified?” she wrote.

Mayawati said the bill had sparked “considerable anger” among Muslims and caused “agitation” within the INDIA bloc, indicating discontent among Congress’s allies.

She further criticised both the Congress and the BJP, accusing them of rendering Dalit reservation rights ineffective through their policies. “Both parties are equally guilty of depriving Dalits of welfare, jobs, and education,” she said, warning religious minorities against what she called the “deception” of these parties.

Referring to the government’s recent privatisation moves, she said sectors like power were being handed over to private players, which was “worrisome.” She urged the Centre to uphold its constitutional responsibility towards public welfare.

Mayawati reiterated her earlier demand for the Centre to reconsider and suspend the implementation of the amended Waqf law, particularly objecting to the provision allowing non-Muslims to be part of the Waqf Board — a clause she said “does not appear good prima facie.”

The Waqf (Amendment) Act, 2025, was notified by the Centre on Tuesday, following President Droupadi Murmu’s assent on April 5. It had sparked heated debate in Parliament, passing the Lok Sabha with 288 votes in favour and 232 against, and clearing the Rajya Sabha with 128 votes for and 95 against.