Lok Sabha Erupts as SP Leads Opposition Protest Against Waqf Bill

The last stretch of the Parliament Budget Session 2025 got off on a controversial note on Tuesday, as opposition MPs initiated a commotion in the Lok Sabha. This came after agitations by Samajwadi Party members against the Waqf (Amendment) Bill.

Samajwadi Party MPs raised placards and continued to create a ruckus around midday, terming the Bill as unjust and unconstitutional.

Despite Speaker Om Birla's insistence that members not shout slogans, the disruption continued, prompting the adjournment of the proceedings till 2 p.m.

"The House will function only if you bring down the placards," Speaker Birla had warned earlier, adding that he would not allow slogan shouting.

Finally, the Speaker chose to adjourn the house, saying, "The House will function as per the rules."

This confrontation in the Lok Sabha seemed to be a result of fears that the government would try to introduce the controversial Bill, which has found opposition from several parties.

Following the adjournment, AIMIM Chief Asaduddin Owaisi denounced the Waqf (Amendment) Bill in an interview with IANS, saying, "All these actions have one aim: to create hatred against Muslims. This is part of a larger Hindutva agenda to alienate Muslims from their religion and take over their religious properties."

Owaisi also contended, "Our demand is clear: what is right for the Hindu religion and Endowment Board should not be unfair to the Muslim community."

NCP MP Fauzia Khan opposed the Bill, informing IANS, "While the government can introduce it, we will try to oppose it. Our party opposes it, and the whole Muslim community is opposed."

BJD MP Sasmit Patra also made his party's position clear to IANS, stating, "Biju Janata Dal is strongly opposed to this Bill. We raised objections earlier too, and we think the manner in which it is being expedited is not proper."

The day before the resumption of the session, Parliamentary Affairs Minister Kiren Rijiju appealed to political parties and Muslim groups not to spread misinformation regarding the Waqf Amendment Bill. Rijiju assured that the Bill would be tabled in Parliament shortly and advocated for a detailed and well-informed debate on the issue. He also inferred that the House could extend its sitting if required to enact the Bill.