RSS Mouthpiece Retracts Article Targeting Catholics After Rahul Gandhi Flags Issue Amidst Waqf Bill Row

Organiser, the English magazine affiliated with the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS), has retracted a recent article that compared land ownership between Catholic Churches and the Waqf Board, reported The Hindu.

The removal occurred shortly after Leader of the Opposition Rahul Gandhi alleged that, following actions against Muslims, the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) was preparing to target Christians next.

Photo Credit: PTI

This development follows the successful passage of the Waqf (Amendment) Bill 2025 by the Narendra Modi government.

The bill introduces key changes in the regulation of Waqf properties - inalienable charitable endowments under Islamic law, meant for the welfare of the community.

Among other provisions, the bill empowers state governments to make decisions regarding Waqf land and excludes tribal and archaeological lands from the Waqf's purview.

During debates in both the Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha, Opposition MPs warned that the government's real target through the Waqf Bill was minority communities, and that Christians could be next. Notably, the Kerala Catholic Bishops' Council had supported the Bill.

Catholic Churches vs Waqf

The now-removed Organiser article, titled 'Who has more land in India? The Catholic Churches Vs Waqf Board debate', asserted that the Catholic Church in India owns over 7 crore hectares, making it the "largest non-governmental land owner."

Drawing attention to the matter, the article claimed that the estimated value of the Catholic Church's properties is around ₹20,000 crore, positioning the Church as a bigger player in India's real estate sector than the Waqf Board.

"For many years, there has been a common belief that the Waqf Board is the second-largest landowner in India after the government. However, this claim does not align with the actual data on land ownership in the country. The Catholic Church of India holds the distinction of being the largest non-governmental landowner, possessing vast tracts of land spread across the country," the article stated, citing data from the Government Land Information website.

Opposition slams BJP motives

Criticising the apparent motive behind the article, Rahul Gandhi said it reflected a clear pattern of the BJP's actions against minorities.

"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," he posted on social media platform X.

Congress leader Ramesh Chennithala also condemned the piece, calling it a "highly deplorable" article.

"During the time of the passing of the Waqf Bill, the Congress and Rahul Gandhi mentioned that the next step will be against the Christians. The article clearly mentions that the Catholic community in India is having seven crore acres in their hands. That means 17.29 crore acres are with them, and according to them, that property is worth ₹20,000 crore. Through the Waqf Bill, they want to control the Waqf properties, and the next step will be to control the properties that are owned by the Catholic community in India," he remarked.

Editor defends article's timing

In response to the backlash, Organiser Editor Prafull Ketkar defended the article, claiming it was "an old story" that had resurfaced after the Waqf Bill's passage.

"To be unable to address the Christian exodus from the Congress owing to the stand on Waqf Bill and facing Muslim wrath on Priyanka not voting on the Bill, the Congress is trying to play around a fear mongering by media," he stated.

He further challenged Rahul Gandhi to address the issue in Munambam, which he said was at the heart of a long-standing protest against the Kerala Waqf Board.

"The Waqf Board claims ownership of more than 400 acres of land that the villagers say they have lived on and cultivated for generations.

The residents, who have been protesting for 175 days, accuse the board of attempting to usurp their land under provisions of the Waqf Act," another article in Organiser noted.