On Tuesday, BJP leader and former Union Minister Smriti Irani stated that the Waqf (Amendment) Bill, 2024, has been sent to a Joint Committee of Parliament to ensure that “every political perspective and the general public can voice their opinions.”

Irani made her remarks during the Idea Exchange program organized by The Indian Express, on the same day that Opposition members of the House Committee on the Bill met Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla to protest what they described as “unilateral” decisions made by the panel’s chairman, BJP MP Jagdambika Pal.

In discussing the introduction of the Waqf (Amendment) Bill, Irani noted, “Although we had consensus and sufficient numbers in the House, we chose to refer it to the JPC to ensure all political viewpoints and citizens can come forward and share their perspectives. This demonstrates the Prime Minister’s commitment to fostering a participatory atmosphere for all voices. With Prime Minister Modi, anything is possible.”

Irani further emphasized that the Prime Minister’s approach includes acknowledging diverse viewpoints across the political spectrum. She recalled an instance during the discussions of the Surrogacy Bill in the Rajya Sabha, where she and Bhupender Yadav listened to concerns raised by Congress leader Jairam Ramesh. They returned to their leadership, which widened the conversation to include the Congress party’s perspectives and address any legitimate concerns raised.

Regarding her loss in Amethi during the 2024 Lok Sabha elections, Irani admitted that she was aware of the BJP’s organizational weaknesses and the challenges of connecting with voters when she first contested in 2014. “I entered Amethi understanding the political dynamics and recognizing that I might eventually lose that opportunity. The Prime Minister’s message in his 2014 speech emphasized change, not revenge. Our goal was to establish that we were the better choice, which I aimed to accomplish,” she explained.

When questioned about Rahul Gandhi’s request for people not to attack her after the Lok Sabha elections, Irani suggested that Gandhi recognized the significant national response to her efforts in Amethi.

She highlighted her contributions, noting that she helped construct over 100,000 homes and 350,000 toilets and improved educational and healthcare facilities and roads in 800 villages across Amethi. “I achieved much more than what the Gandhi family has accomplished in their so-called bastion,” she claimed.

Irani interpreted Gandhi’s appeal for civility as a strategic maneuver rather than a genuine commitment to civil political discourse, arguing that the abuse directed at her reflects poorly on the family. “If there were a true belief that personal attacks should not be sexualized, they wouldn’t have supported individuals who made sexual slurs against me. Thus, it seems to be more about projecting an image of civility on behalf of the family rather than a real dedication to respectful dialogue,” she concluded.