‘Read the Constitution first’: Rajeev Chandrasekhar slams Rahul Gandhi over Waqf Act remark

Taking aim at Congress’ leadership in Kerala, Chandrasekhar said people in the state are demanding a new political culture focused on development and equal rights.

The political battle over the Waqf (Amendment) Act intensified during the weekend, with Leader of Opposition in Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi warning that the legislation not only targets the Muslim community but also sets a dangerous precedent that could be used against other minorities, including Christians.

Taking to microblogging site X, the Congress MP wrote, “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.”

Shortly after, responding sharply, Kerala BJP Chief and former Union Minister Rajeev Chandrasekhar lashed out at Gandhi for “India bashing” and misusing the Constitution for political rhetoric.

“One thing I recommend to Constitution-waving, India-bashing Rahul Gandhi is that he reads and learns the Constitution before he uses it for his #CongPoliticsOfLies,” Chandrasekhar said in a lengthy post on X.

He defended the Waqf (Amendment) Act brought in by the Narendra Modi government, claiming it restores property and appeal rights to all Indians, unlike the “appeasement politics” of the original Waqf Act enacted under Congress rule.

“The Indian Constitution is a sacred document that enshrines every Indian’s right to property. The Waqf Act passed by Congress trampled on those rights due to shameless appeasement politics,” he wrote.

“Modi ji’s Waqf amendment act ensures that Waqf land is used for the benefit of poor Muslims — not rich Congress builder-politicians.”

Chandrasekhar further accused Congress MPs of making “false and communal” statements during the debate in Parliament, stating that their references to Articles 13, 14, and 25 being violated by the Act were “total lies.”

“Owning land is not a crime — vast amounts of land are owned by the Railways, Army, and plantations. But grabbing land from people as Congress leaders in Karnataka have done, and as the Waqf Board tried to do, is wrong,” he said.

Taking aim at Congress’ leadership in Kerala, Chandrasekhar said people in the state are demanding a new political culture focused on development and equal rights.

“People of Kerala want a change — a Viksit Keralam, not lies, fake promises, and betrayal,” he added, invoking the BJP’s slogan “Sabka Saath, Sabka Vikas.”