The Rajya Sabha saw a fiery debate on the Waqf (Amendment) Bill, 2025, as CPI(M) MP John Brittas and Union Minister Suresh Gopi exchanged sharp accusations, with Brittas criticising BJP hypocrisy
Published Apr 03, 2025 | 10:24 PM ⚊ Updated Apr 03, 2025 | 10:24 PM
Waqf protection rally held in Kollam.
Synopsis: In a heated Rajya Sabha debate on the Waqf (Amendment) Bill, CPI(M) MP John Brittas and Union Minister Suresh Gopi clashed. Brittas accused the BJP of hypocrisy towards Christians, citing past incidents, while Gopi launched counterattacks on the Left. Brittas evoked biblical imagery, likening BJP members to Judas Iscariot, further intensifying the exchange
The Rajya Sabha witnessed a heated exchange on Thursday as CPI(M) MP John Brittas and Union Minister Suresh Gopi locked horns during the discussion of the contentious Waqf (Amendment) Bill, 2025.
The debate quickly turned into a war of words, with Brittas accusing the BJP of hypocrisy and Gopi countering with scathing attacks on the Left.
Brittas launched a fierce critique against the treasury benches, alleging that the BJP was pretending to care for Christians while targeting the community.
“You (BJP) are shedding crocodile tears for Christians, but in reality, you are attacking them. Jabalpur is the latest example. How can we forget Stan Swamy, the 82-year-old Jesuit priest who died in jail? How can we forget Graham Staines, the Australian missionary who was burned alive along with his two sons?” Brittas thundered.
Invoking biblical imagery, Brittas likened some members of the ruling party to Judas Iscariot, the disciple who betrayed Jesus.
John Brittas during the discussion
“There is a character in the Bible—Judas—who betrayed Jesus for 30 silver coins. I must say, there are many such characters (Judases) in the treachery bench,” he said.
He also referenced the Malayalam film Empuraan, drawing a comparison between characters in the movie and members of the ruling party.
“There is a character in that film, Munna, (an accomplice to Balraj, the main villain, in his crimes and political career). When we look at the other side (treasury bench), we see several Munnas,” Brittas remarked.
Challenging the BJP’s stance, Brittas declared, “If you truly believe in the Indian Constitution, if you value communal harmony and equality, then you must withdraw this bill immediately.”
In a veiled attack on Suresh Gopi, Brittas reminded the BJP, “We Malayalis committed a mistake. But just as we closed the account in Nemom (referring to BJP’s Assembly victory and eventual defeat ), we will close this account too.”
Refusing to back down, Union Minister Suresh Gopi hit back at Brittas and the CPI(M). He challenged Kairali TV, a CPI(M)-backed channel, to screen two politically sensitive films—TP 51 and Left Right Left.
Bringing up the ongoing Munambam Waqf land dispute, Gopi mocked the Kerala government’s decision to appoint a judicial commission, led by Justice CN Ramachandran.
Suresh Gopi during the discussion on Thursday
“You (the CPI(M) government) set up a judicial commission on the Munambam issue, but the Kerala High Court threw it into the water. Likewise, the resolution passed by the Kerala Assembly against the Waqf Amendment Bill will be stomped by the people and cast into the Arabian Sea,” he declared.
Gopi also touched upon the controversy surrounding Empuraan, stating,
“There was no pressure on the filmmakers to remove or re-censor parts of the movie. I am the first person to contact the makers, asking them to remove my name from the title card. This is the truth. If what I said is false, I am ready to face any punishment. The decision to remove 17 parts of the film was made by the makers and the lead actor with the consent of the director.”
Dismissing allegations that his party was influencing censorship, Gopi called the controversy a “political circus” aimed at defaming the BJP.
Escalating his attack on the Left, Gopi accused the CPI(M) of political violence. “This political party (CPI(M)) has killed about 800 people in Kerala. Theirs is murderous politics. They have cheated about 600 families in Munambam,” he alleged.
(Edited by Ananya Rao)
