Four more JD(U) leaders resign after party supports Waqf Bill

In one of the resignation letters, it is mentioned that its effect would be visible in the upcoming Bihar Assembly election 2025 and soon there will be a stir in JD(U) due to widespread discontent

The support of Janata Dal (United) for the Waqf (Amendment) Bill in Parliament has not gone down well with Muslim leaders of the party. After Mohammad Kasim Ansari, who resigned on Thursday, four more Muslim JD(U) leaders tendered their resignation on Friday (April 4, 2025).

Angered with the party’s stand, JD(U) State secretary of minority cell Mohammad Shahnawaz Mallik, Bettiah (West Champaran) district vice-president Nadeem Akhtar, State general secretary (minority cell) Mohammad Tabrez Siddiqui Alig and party member from Bhojpur Mohammad Dilshan Rayeen. In one of the resignation letters, it has been mentioned that the impact of the party’s support for passage of the Bill would be reflected in the upcoming Assembly election in Bihar.

In the resignation letter sent to Chief Minister Nitish Kumar a day after the Bill was passed in both Houses, Mr. Alig said: “I never anticipated that JD(U) would support this Bill. Some people close to your party have brought JD(U) to such a situation that it has deviated from its basic principles. This decision has been taken against the Muslim community, which supported the party for the last 19 years.”

He added, “This act is a betrayal of the trust of millions of supporters who repeatedly brought you to the post of Chief Minister. Its effect would be visible in the upcoming Bihar Assembly election 2025 and soon there will be a stir in JD(U) due to widespread discontent. In this situation, my conscience does not allow me to remain in the party.”

In the letter, Mr. Alig stressed that he has been a loyal worker of the party and has been committed to the ideology of the party for years.

Also read | Oppn. free to challenge Waqf Bill in court but must refrain from ‘provoking’ minorities: BJP

“I believed that JD(U) would always be committed to secularism, social justice and protection of the rights of minorities but support for the Waqf Bill has deeply shaken my faith. The statements made by Lalan Singh (Rajiv Ranjan Singh) in the Lok Sabha in support of this Bill was extremely disappointing and sad. This Bill strikes at the constitutional rights of Indian Muslims and seems to be an attempt to marginalise the entire Muslim community,” Mr. Alig added.

JD(U) MLC Ghulam Gaus on Friday termed the Bill unconstitutional and urged President Droupadi Murmu to repeal the Waqf Bill.

“Under Article 14 of the Indian Constitution, it guarantees equality before the law and under Article 26 it guarantees the freedom to manage religious affairs. The way farm laws were repealed, in the same way, the Central government should repeal this Bill as well. I will also urge the President of India to take back this Bill,” Mr. Gaus said while interacting with the media in Patna.

Former Union Minister and Rajya Sabha member Upendra Kushwaha said the Opposition unnecessarily spread rumours that Muslims would be affected after the amendment to the main legislation. He said that it will provide a lot of benefits to the Muslims, including Pasmandas and weaker sections of the religion.

Reacting to the leaders resigning from the party, senior JD(U) leader and Lok Sabha member Lalan Singh said, “The leader who has resigned from the party contested the 2020 election from Dhaka Assembly seat on the symbol of kite (All India Majlis-e-Ittehadul Muslimeen) and got 499 votes. The RJD should speak on Lalu [Prasad] Yadav’s speech of 2010,” Mr. Singh said while reacting to the resignation of Mr. Ansari.

Published - April 04, 2025 10:47 pm IST