'Four 'D's' And 'Lies Of The Government': How Gaurav Gogoi Hit Back At Rijiju During Waqf Bill Debate

Congress MP Gaurav Gogoi slammed the Waqf (Amendment) Bill, alleging that Parliamentary Affairs Minister Kiren Rijiju misled the Lok Sabha with his claims against the UPA government.

By : ABP Live News | Updated at : 02 Apr 2025 02:57 PM (IST)

Congress MP Gaurav Gogoi in the Lok Sabha on Wednesday.
Source : Sansad TV

Congress MP Gaurav Gogoi on Wednesday hit out at the government, calling that Parliamentary Affairs Minister Kiren Rijiju had "lied" and "misled" the Lok Sabha during the presentation of the Waqf (Amendment) Bill. In a fiery speech in the Lok Sabha on Wednesday, Congress MP Gaurav Gogoi opposed the Waqf (Amendment) Bill, branding it as an "attack" on both Parliament and the Constitution of India.

'Waqf Bill Used To Target Opposition'

He accused the government of using the Bill as a tool to target the Muslim community. Gogoi further said Kiren Rijiju's comments regarding amendments introduced to the Waqf Act under the UPA government in 2013 were just "lies". "What he said about the 2013 UPA government is completely false and misleading. We challenge him to authenticate his claims. This government thrives on false accusations, spreading rumors, and distorting facts," Gogoi said.

Earlier in the session, Rijiju had slammed the UPA-era provisions, claiming they allowed individuals from any religion — Hindu, Muslim, Christian, or Buddhist — to create Waqf properties, despite Waqf being meant specifically for the Muslim community. He also took issue with Section 108 of the Waqf Act, which grants Waqf Board provisions precedence over other laws in India.

Countering these claims, Gogoi said the bill was a direct assault on India's democratic institutions. "This is not just about one law. It is an attack on the very foundation of Parliament and an erosion of our Constitution," he said.

He accused the ruling government of pursuing four major objectives, defined by four Ds, through the amendment:

• Diluting the Constitution
• Defaming minority communities
• Dividing the society
• Disenfranchising minorities

'Why The Sudden Push?'

Gogoi also cast doubt on the timing of the bill, pointing out that as recently as September 2023, the Ministry of Minority Affairs had not recommended any changes to Waqf laws.

"If the ministry had not proposed amendments, then who was behind this sudden push for change?" he questioned. He further accused the BJP-led government of restricting religious freedoms, citing instances where people were allegedly not allowed to offer Namaz freely on Eid. Additionally, he questioned the representation of minorities within the ruling NDA alliance.

"How many minority MPs does the NDA have in Parliament?" he asked pointedly.

'Bill Can Be Used To Target Other Communities'

Rejecting Rijiju’s claim that the bill was thoroughly discussed before its introduction, Gogoi dismissed the claim as "completely misleading". He also warned that the implications of the bill could extend beyond just the Muslim community. "Today, they are targeting the land of one community. Tomorrow, it could be another," he said.

While acknowledging that amendments to the Waqf Act may be necessary, Gogoi insisted they should serve to strengthen the law rather than divide the country. "Yes, amendments are needed. But they should make the law stronger, not more divisive," he said.

He also slammed the government for allegedly ignoring all suggestions made by the Opposition during discussions in the Joint Parliamentary Committee (JPC).

Responding to Rijiju’s concerns over Waqf laws overriding other legislation, Gogoi pointed out that similar provisions exist in several states, including Telangana and Tamil Nadu. "There are many states where such overriding principles are part of various state laws," he explained.

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Published at : 02 Apr 2025 02:56 PM (IST)
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