Missing middle

• The Waqf (Amendment) Bill 2025 was passed, despite significant divergence of opinion on Waqf property management.

• The ruling BJP found strong allies on the Waqf law amendment.

• The Parliament approved President’s Rule in Manipur, attracting some fence-sitters on select issues.

• The BJP managed to steer the legislative agenda and please its political constituency.

• Business advisory committee meetings saw sharp exchanges, prompting Rajya Sabha Chairman Jagdeep Dhankhar to walk out.

• The stand-off between Congress and Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla on Lok Sabha Leader of the Opposition, Rahul Gandhi, not being given adequate opportunities to speak remained unresolved.

• The vote on the Waqf Bill exposed differences within the Biju Janata Dal (BJD) and the divergence between BJP and the AIADMK.

• The AIADMK voted against the Waqf Bill, underscoring its reservations about BJP’s agenda.

• The government’s refusal to take the Muslim community into confidence on an important piece of legislation is a classic sign of majoritarianism.

• The session sharpened political and communal polarisation, failing to expand the common ground.