Kiren Rijiju questions Rahul Gandhi’s silence during Waqf Bill debate in Parliament
New Delhi, April 16: Union Minister of Parliamentary Affairs and Minority Affairs Kiren Rijiju has questioned Congress MP and Leader of Opposition in the Lok Sabha, Rahul Gandhi, for not speaking during the recent debate on the Waqf (Amendment) Bill, 2025. Rijiju also noted that senior Congress leader Priyanka Gandhi was absent during the voting process in Parliament.
Speaking during an interview with ANI, Rijiju expressed surprise at the Congress leadership's silence on what he termed a “landmark bill.” He said, “I was surprised. Even Priyanka Gandhi was not present during the voting, she was absent.”
He further remarked that Rahul Gandhi came to vote but did not participate in the debate or make any remarks during the parliamentary proceedings. “Rahul Gandhi also came much later to vote. He did not take part in the proceedings, also he did not speak,” Rijiju said.
Rijiju speculated on possible reasons for Gandhi’s silence. “One of the reasons could be the huge pressure from the Christian community for the Congress party and for other MPs to support the Waqf Act. Secondly, maybe he wants to play a safe game, and whatever you speak on this landmark bill will remain on record. This was an important bill on which important leaders should have spoken,” he added.
The Waqf (Amendment) Bill, 2025 has drawn attention and criticism from various quarters, including opposition parties and minority groups. While the ruling BJP maintains that the amendments aim to improve transparency and governance of Waqf properties, critics argue that the bill threatens the autonomy of Waqf boards and could lead to interference in Muslim religious matters.
Let the Truth be known. If you read VB and like VB, please be a VB Supporter and Help us deliver the Truth to one and all.
KSRTC to run 1000 special services to clear Christmas rush
Bengaluru: The Karnataka State Road Transport Corporation will operate 1000 additional special services in view of the Christmas festival.
In addition to the existing schedule, the special services will run on 19.12.2025, 20.12.2025 and 24.12.2025. Further, special buses will be operated from various places of intra & Interstate places to Bengaluru on 26.12.2025 & 28.12.2025.
Special buses will be exclusively operated from Bengaluru Kempegowda Bus Station to Dharmastala, Kukkesubramanya, Shivamogga, Hassan, Mangaluru, Kundapura, Shringeri, Horanadu, Davangere, Hubbali, Dharwad, Belagavi, Vijayapura, Gokarna, Sirsi, Karwar, Raichur, Kalaburagi, Ballari, Koppala, Yadgir, Bidar, Tirupathi, Vijayawada, Hyderabad and other places.
ALSO READ: Bengaluru: Shopkeeper stabbed for refusing to serve free panipuri
Special buses from Mysuru Road Bus Station will be exclusively operated towards Mysuru, Hunsur, Piriyapatna, Virajpet, Kushalanagar, Madikeri.
The corporation has also announced a discount of 5 per cent on the fare if four or more passengers book tickets under a single reservation. A discount of 10 per cent will be extended on return journey tickets if onward and return tickets are booked simultaneously.
In addition to the above, special buses will be operated from all Taluk/District Bus Stands in the jurisdiction of KSRTC based on the traffic needs.
