New Delhi: Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla on Friday issued a strong rebuke to Rajya Sabha MP Sonia Gandhi over her recent remarks concerning the passage of the Waqf Amendment Bill, describing her comments as “unfortunate” and an affront to the principles of parliamentary democracy.
Without explicitly naming the Congress leader, Birla addressed the Lok Sabha, citing statements made by “a senior Congress leader who has been a member of this House and is presently a member of the other House,” referring to Gandhi’s claims that the Bill had been “forcibly passed.”
Highlighting the procedural rigor of the legislative process, Birla stated, “On this Bill, the House held discussions for 13 hours and 53 minutes, in which 61 members from various parties presented their views.” He added that the Waqf Amendment Bill had undergone three separate divisions (votes) before being passed.
“It is extremely unfortunate that despite such an extensive discussion and proper passage according to rules, a senior leader has questioned the House's procedure. This is neither appropriate nor in accordance with the dignity of parliamentary democracy,” Birla said, defending the integrity of the legislative process.
His comments followed Sonia Gandhi’s assertion during the Congress Parliamentary Party (CPP) General Body meeting, where she criticised the government for what she described as undemocratic conduct in Parliament. “The Bill is a brazen assault on the Constitution itself. It is part of the BJP’s deliberate strategy to keep our society in a state of permanent polarisation,” Gandhi said.
She further accused the ruling party of “systematically undermining democratic values” and alleged an effort to “make India a surveillance state.”
The Waqf Amendment Bill has been a point of contention between the government and the opposition, triggering intense debate within both Houses. Despite the controversy, the Bill was ultimately passed following extended deliberations.
The Budget session of Parliament, which commenced on January 31, concluded on Friday with both the Lok Sabha and the Rajya Sabha being adjourned sine die.
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