RJD supremo Lalu Prasad and Leader of Opposition in the Bihar Assembly Tejashwi Yadav joined the protest organised by the All India Muslim Personal Law Board (AIMPLB) against the Waqf Bill.
Atiquzzaman Nawab / Patna
A large number of Muslims today joined a massive protest against Waqf (Amendment) Bill in Patna. The protest Dharna was held under the leadership of the All India Muslim Personal Law Board and was supported and joined by various religious and political parties who made strong demand of withdrawal of the controversial Bill.
The protest attracted significant attention, especially with the participation of Lalu Yadav, Tejashwi Yadav, and others. BJP allies were noticeably absent from the site. It was reported that they were not invited by the organizers, and their absence was linked to concerns over their credibility within the Muslim community, with fears of being ostracized.
The efforts of the Amarat e Sharia played a significant role in the success of the protest, and despite resigning from the Board, Amir Shariat of Bihar-Odisha, Maulana Ahmad Wali Faisal Rahmani, was seen seated prominently on the stage. Key leaders who participated included Amir Jamaat Syed Saadatullah Hussaini, SDPI Vice President Muhammad Shafi, Jamaat Vice President Maqbool, Board spokesperson Dr. Qasim Rasool Ilyas, former MP Mohammad Adeeb, MP Mohibullah Nadwi, Akhtarul Iman, Imran Masood, Abutalib Rahmani, Board General Secretary Maulana Mujaddidi, and Vice President of the Milli Council Maulana Anees Rahman Qasmi, among others.
Representatives from both Jamaats were also present, including individuals who had previously defied a boycott and attended Nitish Kumar’s Iftar party. It has been reported that the Board might take disciplinary action against those members who, despite the collective boycott appeal, attended Nitish’s Iftar party. There is considerable anger among Muslims regarding this, and there is growing pressure on the Board to act.
Syed Saadatullah Hussaini, the head of Jamaat-e-Islami Hind, delivered a well-reasoned speech, emphasizing that this rally was a warning to the government. He condemned the Waqf (Amendment) Bill, calling it “anti-Muslim, unconstitutional, and irrational,” and stated that it infringes upon the religious freedom of the Muslim community. “This protest is only the beginning,” he warned, “If the government does not withdraw the anti-Waqf Bill, we will launch a nationwide agitation. We will not remain silent. This black law will not be tolerated.”
Maulana Ahmad Wali Faisal Rahmani, the head of the Bihar-Odisha Amarat e Shariah expressed deep concern over the potential impact of this bill on the rights of the Muslim community’s Waqf properties. He emphasized that this protest was not just against the bill but also a stand against the violation of their constitutional rights and the injustices they are facing. “We will not tolerate this bill and will ensure it is repealed.”
Tejaswi Yadav calls Waqf Bill ‘unconstitutional’ Addressing the protestors, Tejashwi assured them that his party and its leader, Lalu Yadav, firmly stand with them in their fight against the “unconstitutional” Waqf (Amendment) Bill.
Addressing the rally against the bill, Tejaswi Yadav said, “RJD leader Lalu Prasad Yadav has come here to support and strengthen you desipite illness.
We have opposed this unconstitutional, undemocratic bill in Parliament, Vidhan Sabha, and Vidhan Parishad.” Talking about his party’s fight against the bill, he said, “Today, we brought an adjournment motion and demanded a discussion on it, but the House was adjourned. We want to tell you that we stand with you on this issue… Our effort is that this bill should not be passed at any cost.”
RJD Will stop Waqf (Amendment) Bill at all costs He said further, “We are followers of the Constitution, we believe in Ganga-Jamuni Tehzeeb, and at any cost, we will try to stop this bill from being passed.” Coming down heavily on the BJP, Tejaswi Yadav said that the government is working to divide the country, dismantle democracy, and weaken the Constitution. He also added that some parties, out of greed for power, are supporting this bill, but if the people fight unitedly, they will win.
Earlier chairman of the JPC on the Waqf Amendment Bill, Jagadambika Pal, criticised AIMPLB for its nationwide agitation, accusing the board of politicizing the issue. Pal said, “The way AIMPLB is doing politics in the name of Waqf, they are trying to mislead the minorities and Muslims of the country.” BJP defends Waqf Bill He further addressed the controversy surrounding the bill, referring to the Joint Parliamentary Committee’s (JPC) report, which indicated that the government is preparing to introduce the amended law.
Despite some fiery and unrestrained speeches, the protest was generally calm and organized. A significant number of representatives from the SC/ST communities were also present. The Board’s next move will be a protest in Vijayawada, where pressure will be applied on BJP ally N. Chandrababu Naidu to clarify his stance on the issue. This protest will take place on March 29.