An article in Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh’s (RSS) mouthpiece Organiser claiming that Catholic churches in India own more land than the Waqf Board has triggered a political row, with the Congress and the CPI (M) accusing the Sangh of “tactically” targeting one minority community after the other.
The now-deleted article was published on April 3, when the discussion on the controversial Waqf (Amendment) Bill was underway in the Parliament.
Pointing out the timing of the propaganda piece, titled ‘Who has more land in India? The Catholic Church vs. Waqf Board debate’, Leader of Opposition in the Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi alleged that it did not take long for the RSS to turn its attention to Christians after “attacking” Muslims with the Waqf (Amendment) Bill.
“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,” Rahul Gandhi wrote on X.
The contentious Waqf (Amendment) Bill has been passed in the Parliament despite opposition from Muslim groups and the Opposition, on the grounds that it violates minority and state rights. The Bill allows for the appointment of non-Muslims to the Central Waqf Council and to the Waqf Board, which critics say infringes on the religious freedom of Muslims.
Criticising the Organiser article on land belonging to catholic churches, Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan said that targeting Christians soon after the Waqf (Amendment) Bill was passed exposes the RSS’ intentions.
“The article in the RSS mouthpiece @eOrganiser about the Church's ownership of land, published soon after the Waqf Amendment Act was passed, lays bare the Sangh Parivar’s deep-rooted antagonism towards minorities,” he said.
“Though later withdrawn, it reveals a deliberate, step-by-step attempt to target and isolate minorities and their institutions. Secular forces must unite in resistance,” Pinarayi said.
CPI (M) MP John Brittas also joined in condemning the “tirade” unleashed by Organiser against the Christian community. Accusing the BJP of showing “fake” their love for Christians in Kerala, Brittas said, “This is exactly what I spoke in Parliament; the new found love of BJP towards the Christians in Kerala is fake. Organiser unleashed a tirade on Christian Church but tactically withdrew it.”
The Waqf (Amendment) Bill, 2025, was passed by the Rajya Sabha in the early hours of April 4, with 128 votes in favour and 95 against. The Bill had previously been approved by the Lok Sabha on April 3, following a 13-hour debate, where it received 288 votes in favour and 232 against.
The Waqf (Amendment) Bill 2025 officially became a law on Saturday, April 5, following President Draupadi Murmu’s assent.