RJD leader Tejashwi Yadav attacked Bihar CM Nitish Kumar over the Waqf Amendment Bill. He criticised BJP and its allies for supporting the bill, despite claims of supporting Muslims.
Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) leader Tejashwi Yadav on Saturday launched a sharp attack on Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar over the passage of the Waqf Amendment Bill, accusing “so-called secular parties” of compromising on principles for political gain.
“In this bill, the so-called secular parties and leaders have been exposed. It has become clear that they only do politics for their own power and position, not for the unity of the country, the people, or any ideology,” Tejashwi Yadav said.
Patna, Bihar: RJD leader Tejashwi Yadav says, "In this bill, the so-called secular parties and leaders have been exposed. It has become clear that they only do politics for their own power and position, not for the unity of the country, the people, or any ideology..." pic.twitter.com/d6pe5m0YOc
— IANS (@ians_india) April 5, 2025
Taking a dig at the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and its allies, Yadav added, “No matter how much one tries to justify that Narendra Modi and BJP care about Muslims and that this bill is in their favour, no one will believe it. We have approached the Supreme Court against this bill.”
Addressing reporters in Patna, Yadav further declared, “We will form the government and will throw this (Waqf Amendment Bill) in the dustbin. We also passed a resolution to prevent the implementation of CAA-NRC.”
He also commented on the political dynamics in Bihar, stating, “BJP will keep Nitish Kumar with them until elections. After that, we and the people of Bihar know very well what will happen to him…”
On RJD's move to approach the apex court, Union Minister Chirag Paswan told news agency ANI, "Our Constitution already has a provision that if a person has an objection that they were denied justice, they can go to court. The amendments we made in the Waqf were based on this...because in most cases, they could not go to court, this is what has been amended... Every individual and party is free."
#WATCH | Patna, Bihar: Union Minister Chirag Paswan said, "Our Constitution already has a provision that if a person has an objection that justice has not been done to them, they can go to court. The amendments we made in the Waqf were based on this...because in most cases, they… pic.twitter.com/rW03DNGdlX
— ANI (@ANI) April 5, 2025
"Lalu Yadav himself had said that it should be made stricter—these were his words—but today, when it has been made strict, his own party is talking about going to court. To change your stance from time to time is wrong," he remarked.
JD(U) On Damage Control Over Support To Waqf Amendment Bill?
The Waqf Amendment Bill has been passed in both Houses of Parliament, triggering differences within the Janata Dal (United). Several JD(U) leaders, including minority community members, expressed dissatisfaction, with as many as seven reportedly resigning from the party.
A press conference was convened in Patna on Saturday by JD(U)’s minority cell in an apparent attempt at damage control. However, the effort appeared to fall flat, as several prominent leaders present at the event refrained from speaking or even responding to media queries.
State president of JD(U)’s minority cell Ashraf Ansari and spokesperson Anjum Ara said that Chief Minister Nitish Kumar had worked extensively for the upliftment of the Muslim community. “As long as Nitish is there, no one can tamper with the interests of the minority communities,” they claimed.
They added that the JD(U) had extended support to the Waqf Bill only after five of its suggestions were accepted. These included: Land is a state subject and this priority must be retained in the new law; The new law should not be implemented retrospectively; If any property is not registered as Waqf but has a religious structure like a mosque or dargah on it, it should remain untouched; Officers above the rank of District Magistrate should be authorised to resolve disputes relating to Waqf property; and the six-month deadline for digitisation of Waqf properties should be extended.
Anjum Ara said all five suggestions had been accepted. The press conference was also attended by former MP Ahmad Ashfaque Karim, Shia Waqf Board chairperson Afzal Abbas, MLC Ghulam Gaus and Khalid Anwar — all of whom had previously opposed the Bill. However, none of them spoke at the event, leading to speculation that the effort to project unity had failed.
(With Inputs By Shashank Kumar)
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