Sumit Singh, Syed Abubakr/TwoCircles.net
Patna: Former Bihar Chief Minister Lalu Prasad Yadav described the Waqf (Amendment) Bill 2024 as an assault on India’s constitutional values and religious freedoms. His strong condemnation of the proposed legislation set the stage for a massive protest in Patna’s Gardanibagh area, where thousands gathered on March 26 to voice their opposition to the controversial Bill.
Organised by the All India Muslim Personal Law Board (AIMPLB), the protest came on the heels of a similar demonstration at Delhi’s Jantar Mantar on March 17.
“This law (read bill) is a mockery of our constitutional values. It violates religious freedom and betrays the promises made at the time of independence. Our fight is for social unity and justice. When the rights of a community are under threat, the very concept of justice comes under threat. Today Waqf is the target, tomorrow it could be any temple trusts, gurudwaras, churches or tribal lands,” said the Rashtriya Janata Dal supremo and veteran socialist leader.
(AIMPLB)
Bihar’s Leader of Opposition Tejashwi Yadav too joined the demonstration after chaos erupted in the Bihar Assembly over the Waqf Bill, resulting in a swift adjournment.
Lalu Yadav’s words resonated deeply with the crowd as he reaffirmed his commitment to fighting the bill, emphasising the alleged threat it posed to India’s secular identity.
Tejashwi also expressed strong opposition. “Despite being ill, our leader Lalu ji is here to support you. We do not care about being in power. We will strongly oppose this non-constitutional bill.”
AIMPLB spokesperson SQR Ilyas said the protest was the first in a series of nationwide demonstrations, aiming to highlight the bill’s perceived discrimination against Muslims. Invitations had been extended to political leaders from across the state, including Bihar’s Chief Minister Nitish Kumar. However, Kumar’s silence on the issue has fuelled Opposition’s anger, especially as the ruling JD(U) continues to back the proposed legislation.
controversial Waqf Bill
Jamiat Ulama-i-Hind President Arshad Madani joined the criticism, accusing leaders like Nitish Kumar of “betraying secular values” for the sake of political expediency. “Leaders like Nitish Kumar, Chandrababu Naidu and Chirag Paswan call themselves secular. These people are silent on the injustice being committed against Muslims for the sake of power,” he said.
The protest carried significant political weight, with Bihar Assembly elections just around the corner. Opposition parties are intensifying their attacks on the ruling National Democratic Alliance (NDA) and its handling of the bill.
Prashant Kishor, founder of the Jan Suraaj Party, also participated in the protest, though he refrained from speaking, strategically aligning himself with Muslim voters ahead of the elections.
Among the notable figures at the protest was Lok Sabha MP Chandrashekhar Azad, who sharply criticised the government for what he saw as hollow gestures towards Muslims.
“The Modi government is offering Eid kits to Muslims, but it is like offering spectacles after taking one’s eyes away,” he stated.
Other leaders like E T Mohammad Basheer, Mehboob Alam and Akhtarul Iman also joined in, expressing their concerns about the bill’s impact on religious institutions and the Muslim community.
Syed Ahmad Wali Faisal Rahmani of Imarat-e-Shariah warned that the bill would undermine Muslim-run educational and healthcare institutions. He urged the government to reconsider.
“The Modi government should consider how many educational institutions and healthcare institutes will be destroyed due to this Bill. I hope that those in the government will protect these institutions from being ruined,” he added.
Mufti Anisur Rahman Qasmi, vice president of the All India Milli Council, added that Muslim organisations had submitted their concerns to the Joint Parliamentary Committee (JPC) and called for these opinions to be given due respect.
Despite the charged atmosphere, heartwarming visuals emerged from the protest as several Muslim demonstrators sought shelter in a nearby temple, highlighting the peaceful nature of the demonstration.
LJP (Ram Vilas) MP Arun Bharti, a member of the JPC, dismissed the protesters, accusing them of playing politics. “The JPC has scanned over 96 lakh emails and allowed everyone to present their views. Those who are now raising objections are merely playing politics,” he claimed.
Gardanibagh
BJP MLA Hari Bhushan Thakur claimed that the bill attacked the Waqf Boards’ “extra constitutional” character. He took a swipe at the RJD, suggesting that the party should start worrying about the fate of Yadav’s. He claimed that RJD’s ally Congress has “refused to accept Tejashwi as chief ministerial candidate” for the upcoming state polls.
The Waqf Bill, introduced in Parliament in August 2024, proposes over 40 amendments aimed at reducing the autonomy of Waqf boards, allowing non-Muslims to become members and restricting property donations. After widespread protests, the bill was referred to the JPC, where 14 amendments were approved by the government while rejecting 44 proposed by the Opposition.
Tensions escalated further on March 23 when several major Muslim organisations, including the AIMPLB and the Imarat-e-Shariah, boycotted an iftar gathering hosted by Chief Minister Nitish Kumar in protest of his support for the bill.
As Bihar’s elections draw nearer, the fate of the Waqf Bill in Parliament could have significant political repercussions. With Muslims comprising roughly 17.7% of Bihar’s population, their support will be a decisive factor in the outcome of the polls. The key question now is whether Nitish Kumar will align with his Muslim electorate or continue his support for the controversial bill.