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.
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Bengaluru, May 18 (PTI): BJP MP Tejasvi Surya on Sunday said he will be part of a multi-party delegation visiting the US and Latin America, to present India’s stand against Pakistan-sponsored terrorism.
Surya will join Congress MP Shashi Tharoor and others on the trip, which runs from May 23 to June 6.
The initiative is part of a major diplomatic outreach by the Prime Minister Narendra Modi-led government, which has constituted seven multi-party delegations to travel to 32 countries and the European Union.
Each team includes retired diplomats who will assist MPs with policy and diplomatic engagement. These delegations aim to present India's firm and unified stance against terrorism and assert its right to respond to cross-border attacks.
The BJP MP said, "I will be joining Dr Shashi Tharoor in the Indian delegation of MPs to the Americas. We will take to the world, India’s message against Pakistan-sponsored terrorism and our demonstrated determination to put an end to it.”
According to Surya, Operation Sindoor signified a precise, measured and morally justified response to Pakistan-Backed Terrorism.
The operation has become a global call for justice and through this visit, MPs cutting across parties will unitedly highlight India's stance in combating terror.
“This initiative reflects the Modi government’s commitment to building a global coalition against terrorism and advancing India’s diplomatic leadership on the world stage,” he noted.
Karnataka is being represented by two Members of Parliament in this international initiative.
Apart from Surya, Mangaluru MP Captain Brijesh Chowta will be part of another delegation heading to the United Kingdom, France and Germany.
Surya expressed his gratitude to Prime Minister Sri Narendra Modi and Home Minister Amit Shah, Minister for External Affairs Dr S Jaishankar and Minister for Parliamentary Affairs Kiren Rijiju for giving him the responsibility.