New Delhi: The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has called for an apology from Congress leader Sonia Gandhi over her remarks on the Waqf (Amendment) Bill. Gandhi criticized the Bill as a “brazen assault” on the Constitution and accused the BJP of fostering societal division for political gain.

The Lok Sabha passed the Bill late on Thursday, sparking heated reactions from both the ruling party and the opposition. Speaking at a Congress Parliamentary Party meeting, Gandhi claimed that the Bill was “bulldozed” through Parliament without proper debate. She also criticized the proposed “One Nation, One Election” policy, calling it a constitutional overreach.

Gandhi further accused the Modi government of eroding civil liberties, weakening federalism, and attempting to turn India into a “surveillance state.” She alleged that many of the government’s flagship programs were rebranded Congress-era initiatives.

During the Lok Sabha debate, the Bill was passed with 288 votes in favor and 232 against. In the Rajya Sabha, it cleared with 128 votes supporting and 95 opposing. The opposition labeled it “anti-Muslim” and “unconstitutional,” while the government defended it as a necessary reform for minority welfare.

Following Gandhi’s remarks, BJP MPs, led by Nishikant Dubey, demanded an apology, arguing that she had insulted the Constitution and the ruling party. The protests led to a disruption in Lok Sabha proceedings on Friday morning, with BJP members chanting slogans for her apology, while opposition leaders demanded discussions on other pressing national issues.

Meanwhile, Congress has announced plans to challenge the Waqf Bill in the Supreme Court. Congress leader Jairam Ramesh stated that the party would soon contest the Bill’s constitutionality, vowing to resist what he called the Modi government’s continued attacks on constitutional values.