New Delhi– Parliamentary Affairs Minister Kiren Rijiju on Friday criticized Congress leader Sonia Gandhi after she accused the BJP-led central government of “bulldozing” the Waqf (Amendment) Bill through Parliament.
Addressing a press conference hours after the Rajya Sabha passed the bill with a 128-95 vote, Rijiju rejected Gandhi’s claims, stating that the government had followed due parliamentary procedures. “We followed all processes, and the House functioned till 4 AM. Rather than appreciating history being made, the Congress says we are bulldozing the bill. This is not right,” Rijiju said.
Although Rijiju remarked that he “did not want to comment” on Sonia Gandhi, he countered Congress’ claims, asserting that never before in parliamentary history had a bill undergone such extensive debate—17 hours in the Rajya Sabha following a 12-hour discussion in the Lok Sabha. He also pointed out that the opposition had pledged not to disrupt proceedings and had adhered to that commitment.
The Waqf (Amendment) Bill has sparked controversy, with Sonia Gandhi calling it a “brazen assault” on the Constitution and accusing the BJP of fostering “permanent polarization” in society. Congress has announced plans to challenge the bill in court.
Meanwhile, BJP leaders lashed out at Gandhi, demanding an apology. BJP MP Nishikant Dubey claimed her remarks were an attack on the Constitution and accused her of insinuating that the BJP was leading the country “down the drain.”
Tensions spilled into the Lok Sabha on Friday morning, where BJP MPs chanted “Sonia Gandhi maafi maango” (Sonia Gandhi, apologize), prompting an adjournment. The opposition, in turn, attempted to shift focus to US tariffs.
The Waqf (Amendment) Bill was passed in the Lok Sabha on Thursday by a 288-232 vote after 12 hours of debate, during which opposition-proposed alterations were rejected. The BJP hailed the bill as a “historic reform,” while opposition parties labeled it “anti-Muslim.”
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