Muslim bodies angry over Priyanka Gandhi’s absence during Waqf Bill debate

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 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 lamented.

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.

Furthermore, the Muslim League is also reportedly “displeased” with the Wayanad MP as they have been fermently supportive of the Congress leaders, but the latter’s no-show reflect that the show of strenght and support was unilateral, irking the Muslim community. 

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The Waqf (Amendment) Bill continues to spark debate and the trigger a major churn in Kerala’s state politics with major realignment of the Christian community taking place in favour of the saffron party. In the state polity, the senior leadership of the grand old party is facing the ire not just of the Muslim organisations but also from the Christian community, its leaders for not paying respect and raising the concerns of the common Christian community whose properties have been brazenly claimed by the Waqf Board.