'Prove the charges or apologize': Why Mallikarjun Kharge got angry at Anurag Thakur? WATCH

Delhi: Anurag Thakur on Wednesday lashed out at the Congress for resisting the Waqf (Amendment) Bill 2025 in the Lok Sabha. The BJP MP stated that the bill, if passed, will be the last nail in the coffin of Congress' "appeasement politics". He also accused Kharge of land grabbing without permission. During a speech in the Rajya Sabha, Kharge requested Thakur to either substantiate his allegations or apologize for his remark. Opposition Leader of Rajya Sabha and Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge on Thursday stated he will quit if charges of "land grabbing" made by Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) MP Anurag Thakur against him are established.

Kharge demands apology, threatens to quit

The moment the Upper House began the day's session, Kharge raised an objection to the charge and asserted that Thakur's charges had damaged his image. He requested the BJP MP to either substantiate the "baseless" accusations made against him or quit. Anurag Thakur on Wednesday accused the Congress of raising opposition in the Lok Sabha to the Waqf (Amendment) Bill 2025. The BJP MP alleged that the legislation to be passed will be the last nail in the coffin of Congress' "appeasement politics". He also accused Kharge of occupying land illegally.

अगर ये BJP के लोग मुझे डराकर झुकाना चाहते हैं, तो उन्हें याद दिला दूं कि मैं टूट जाऊंगा लेकिन कभी झुकूंगा नहीं !

I rise in deep anguish. My life has always been an open book, full of struggles and battles, but I have always upheld the highest values in public life. After almost… pic.twitter.com/SfykZTnqAY

— Mallikarjun Kharge (@kharge) April 3, 2025

 Key provisions of Waqf amendment bill

Appealing in the Rajya Sabha, Kharge challenged Thakur to either validate his allegations or apologize for making the remark. "I find myself obliged to rise to repudiate the unfounded insinuations by Anurag Thakur. "I demand an apology from the Leader of the House.". If Anurag Thakur fails to establish his charges, he has no place in Parliament and he must resign," Kharge said. If the BJP wishes to intimidate me and bend down, I will never bend down.

BJP सांसद अनुराग ठाकुर ने कांग्रेस पार्टी पर लगाए गंभीर आरोप।

- कांग्रेस सांसद मल्लिकार्जुन खरगे ने कहा कि आप साबित कर दें तो अभी इस्तीफा दे दूंगा। #Anuragthakur #MallikarjunKharge #congress #BJP pic.twitter.com/N0Zj7KDpsS

— Molitics (@moliticsindia) April 3, 2025

Controversy surrounding the bill

I will be shattered, but I will never bend down." The Rajya Sabha Chairman presented his arguments
Rajya Sabha Chairman Jagdeep Dhankhar, who presided over the session, made an observation on the controversy and stated that political parties must enlighten their members. "For me, each member is precious in terms of reputation. So, whatever has been removed should never be brought forward," he added.