Priyanka Gandhi’s Absence During Waqf Bill Debate Draws Flak from Kerala Muslim Organization’s Newspaper

Wayanad MP Priyanka Gandhi has been bashed by the same ecosystem of whom the oldest political party of India tried tooth and nail to gain support through decades of muslim appeasement politics. Priyanka Gandhi has to undergo trashing for her absence during the debate on the Waqf (Amendment) Bill, 2025, in Parliament. Malayalam daily Suprabhaatham, run by the influential Muslim organisation Samastha Kerala Jemiyyathul Ulama, sharply criticised her no-show, calling it a “blot” on her record.

According to a report by The Indian Express, the newspaper editorial lamented the absence of key Congress leaders during the crucial debate. “Wayanad MP Priyanka Gandhi, whom the country looks up to with great expectations, did not come to Parliament despite the party whip. That will remain as a blot. The question of where she was when the bill was debated will remain forever,” the editorial stated.

The Wayanad constituency, known for its significant Muslim voter base, has historically supported Congress, with regional Muslim parties such as the Indian Union Muslim League (IUML) backing both Priyanka Gandhi and her brother Rahul Gandhi in past elections. Their absence during the debate has made the core vote bank of Indian National Congress unhappy with the party leadership. 

The editorial also took aim at Rahul Gandhi, Leader of the Opposition in the Lok Sabha, questioning his silence on the matter. “Why Opposition leader Rahul Gandhi did not speak on the bill, which shatters the unity of the country, will remain,” the paper remarked. Despite disappointment over the bill’s passage, Suprabhaatham threw praises for the efforts of other opposition leaders who fought against it. “The Waqf Bill is one of the biggest attacks on Muslims and the country’s secularism from Sangh Parivar after the Babri incident. Thanks to the Opposition leaders who fought valiantly against the bill even after midnight and voted against it. The performance of Congress and DMK members had been noteworthy,” the editorial stated.

The Waqf (Amendment) Bill, which has been a contentious topic, continues to spark debate, with critics arguing that it undermines the autonomy of Waqf properties and reflects broader concerns about religious and political control.