TITLE TAG: Rahul Gandhi Warns Christians May Be Next Target of RSS
META DESCRIPTION: Rahul Gandhi cautions that the Christian community could face scrutiny after the Waqf bill, following claims about Catholic landholdings.
URL SLUG: rahul-gandhi-christians-target-rss
H1: Rahul Gandhi Raises Alarm Over Potential Targeting of Christians by RSS
In the midst of the controversy surrounding the Waqf bill, Congress MP Rahul Gandhi has issued a warning that the Christian community may become the next focus of the RSS. This statement follows an article published in the Organiser, which has since been removed, asserting that Catholic churches are the largest landholders in India, claiming they own 7 crore hectares of land.
Gandhi expressed his concerns on social media, stating, “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.”
Senior Congress leader Ramesh Chennithala echoed Gandhi’s sentiments, labeling the article as “deplorable” and suggesting that the BJP’s next move would be to exert control over properties owned by the Catholic community. He remarked, “During the time of the passing of the Waqf bill, the Congress and Rahul Gandhi mentioned that the next step would be against Christians. The article by ‘Organiser’ clearly mentions that the Catholic community in India has 7 crore acres in their hands… The next step will be to control the properties which are owned by the Catholic community.”
The controversial article, titled “Who has more land in India? The Catholic Church vs Waqf Board debate,” alleged that a significant portion of land held by Catholic institutions was acquired during British rule under the Indian Church Act of 1927. It referenced a 1965 government order that declared land leased during the colonial period would no longer be recognized as church property.
This development comes just a day after the Waqf bill, which amends laws governing properties donated by Muslims and expands the government’s role in property disputes, was passed in Parliament. The bill now awaits the President’s assent to become law. Interestingly, the BJP had previously highlighted the support of the Christian community and the Kerala Catholic Bishops’ Council for the Waqf bill to criticize the opposition.
During the parliamentary debate, Union Home Minister Amit Shah stated that the estimated Waqf land in India amounts to 39 lakh acres. While the opposition argues that the bill aims to undermine Muslim land ownership and rights, the government maintains that it seeks to ensure transparency and accountability in the management of Waqf properties.
INTERNAL LINK SUGGESTION: Explore more on the implications of the Waqf bill.
IMAGE CAPTION SUGGESTION: Rahul Gandhi warns of potential targeting of Christians by RSS amid Waqf bill controversy.
FAQ:
Q: What is the Waqf bill and why is it controversial?
A: The Waqf bill amends laws governing properties donated by Muslims, expanding government oversight in property disputes, which critics argue threatens Muslim land rights.