“Didn't Take Long For RSS…": Rahul Gandhi's 'Told You So' Remarks On Organiser's Church Properties Article
In the wake of the recently passed Waqf (Amendment) Bill, 2025, Congress leader Rahul Gandhi has voiced concerns over the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh’s (RSS) shifting focus towards the land holdings of the Catholic Church in India. Gandhi warned that the legislative changes initially targeting Muslim properties could set a precedent for other religious communities.
Gandhi stated, “I had said that the Waqf Bill attacks Muslims now but sets a precedent to target other communities in the future. It didn’t take long for the RSS to turn its attention to Christians. The Constitution is the only shield that protects our people from such attacks – and it is our collective duty to defend it.”
His remarks were prompted by an article published in Organiser, the RSS’s mouthpiece, titled “Who has more land in India? The Catholic Church vs Waqf Board debate.” The piece alleges that the Catholic Church is the largest non-governmental landowner in the country, possessing approximately 7 crore hectares (17.29 crore acres) of land, valued at around Rs 20,000 crore. The article further claims that much of this land was acquired during British rule through “questionable means.”
The publication of this article has raised apprehensions among Christian communities, fearing that they might become the next target of property scrutiny following the Muslim community.
The Waqf (Amendment) Bill, 2025, which has been a subject of intense debate, introduces significant changes to the management of Muslim endowments. It proposes the inclusion of non-Muslim members in Waqf Boards and grants the government a more substantial role in determining the ownership of disputed Waqf properties. Supporters of the bill argue that these measures aim to reduce corruption and enhance transparency. However, critics contend that it infringes upon the constitutional rights of Muslims and could be used to seize historically significant religious properties lacking formal documentation.
The bill was passed in the Lok Sabha with 288 votes in favour and 232 against, followed by approval in the Rajya Sabha with 128 votes supporting and 95 opposing. The passage of this bill has led to resignations within the ruling alliance, notably that of JD(U) leader Mohammed Kasim Ansari, who expressed dissent over the legislation.
Opposition parties, including the Congress, have announced plans to challenge the constitutionality of the bill in the Supreme Court. Jairam Ramesh, Congress General Secretary, stated, “The INC’s challenge of the CAA, 2019, is being heard in the Supreme Court. The INC’s challenge of the 2019 amendments to the RTI Act, 2005, is being heard in the Supreme Court. The INC’s challenge to the validity of the amendments to the Conduct of Election Rules (2024) is being heard in the Supreme Court.”
The recent developments have sparked a broader discourse on the government’s approach to religious properties and the potential implications for various communities in India. As the situation unfolds, it underscores the delicate balance between legislative reforms and the protection of minority rights within the framework of the Indian Constitution.
