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The Janata Dal (United)'s (JD(U)) decision to support the Waqf (Amendment) Bill in Parliament has triggered a wave of resignations from Muslim leaders within the party, signaling a significant internal rift and raising concerns about the party's standing among its Muslim supporters. Following Mohammad Kasim Ansari's resignation on Thursday, four more Muslim JD(U) leaders, including Mohammad Shahnawaz Mallik, Nadeem Akhtar, Mohammad Tabrez Siddiqui Alig, and Mohammad Dilshan Rayeen, tendered their resignations on Friday, April 4, 2025. This mass exodus highlights the deep dissatisfaction within the party's Muslim wing regarding the Waqf Bill and its perceived impact on the Muslim community. The resignations are not merely symbolic; they represent a tangible loss of political capital for the JD(U), particularly in Bihar, where the Muslim community has historically been a significant voting bloc. The resigning leaders have voiced strong concerns about the bill's potential to marginalize Muslims and undermine their constitutional rights, echoing sentiments shared by many within the community. This development poses a considerable challenge to Chief Minister Nitish Kumar's leadership and raises questions about the future direction of the JD(U). The Waqf (Amendment) Bill, which aims to amend the Waqf Act of 1995, has been a subject of intense debate and scrutiny. While proponents argue that the bill seeks to improve the management and administration of Waqf properties, critics contend that it infringes upon the rights of Muslims and undermines the autonomy of Waqf boards. The bill's provisions regarding the survey, registration, and management of Waqf properties have sparked concerns about potential government interference in religious affairs. Moreover, the bill's emphasis on transparency and accountability has been interpreted by some as a veiled attempt to scrutinize and control the financial resources of Muslim organizations. The resignations of the JD(U) leaders underscore the sensitivity surrounding the Waqf Bill and the potential for it to polarize communities along religious lines. The leaders' decision to resign from the party demonstrates their conviction that the JD(U)'s support for the bill is a betrayal of the trust that the Muslim community has placed in the party over the past two decades. The resignation letters, particularly that of Mohammad Tabrez Siddiqui Alig, express a sense of disillusionment and anger towards the party's leadership. Alig's letter explicitly states that the JD(U) has deviated from its basic principles and that the decision to support the Waqf Bill is a direct affront to the Muslim community. He further warns that the party's actions will have repercussions in the upcoming Bihar Assembly election in 2025, suggesting that the Muslim community will likely punish the JD(U) for its perceived betrayal. Alig's assertion that the Waqf Bill strikes at the constitutional rights of Indian Muslims and attempts to marginalize the community highlights the deep-seated concerns among Muslim leaders regarding the bill's implications. The resignation letters also reflect a broader anxiety about the erosion of secular values and the increasing marginalization of minorities in Indian politics. The JD(U)'s support for the Waqf Bill has been interpreted by some as a sign of the party's growing alignment with Hindu nationalist forces, further alienating its Muslim supporters. The crisis within the JD(U) is further compounded by the statements of JD(U) MLC Ghulam Gaus, who has termed the Waqf Bill unconstitutional and urged President Droupadi Murmu to repeal it. Gaus's criticism of the bill highlights the internal divisions within the party and suggests that there is significant opposition to the leadership's stance on the issue. Gaus's invocation of Articles 14 and 26 of the Indian Constitution underscores the legal and constitutional arguments against the Waqf Bill. He argues that the bill violates the principle of equality before the law and infringes upon the freedom to manage religious affairs. Gaus's call for the Central government to repeal the bill echoes the demands of many Muslim organizations and political parties who view the bill as a threat to the community's autonomy and religious freedom. In contrast to the criticism of the Waqf Bill, former Union Minister and Rajya Sabha member Upendra Kushwaha has defended the bill, arguing that it will benefit Muslims, including Pasmandas and weaker sections of the religion. Kushwaha's defense of the bill reflects the government's efforts to portray it as a progressive measure that will empower marginalized communities within the Muslim population. However, his argument has failed to quell the concerns of many Muslim leaders and organizations who remain skeptical of the bill's intentions and potential impact. The contrasting views on the Waqf Bill within the JD(U) and the broader political landscape highlight the complexities and sensitivities surrounding the issue. The debate over the bill is not merely about the technical aspects of managing Waqf properties; it is about the broader question of religious freedom, minority rights, and the role of the state in religious affairs. The crisis within the JD(U) underscores the challenges faced by political parties in navigating these complex issues and maintaining the trust of diverse constituencies. The response of senior JD(U) leader and Lok Sabha member Lalan Singh to the resignations further illustrates the political dynamics at play. Singh's attempt to discredit Mohammad Kasim Ansari by highlighting his past association with the All India Majlis-e-Ittehadul Muslimeen (AIMIM) and his limited electoral success suggests an effort to minimize the significance of the resignations and deflect criticism of the party's stance on the Waqf Bill. Singh's attempt to shift the blame to the Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) by referencing Lalu Prasad Yadav's speech in 2010 indicates a strategy of political deflection and an attempt to divert attention from the internal crisis within the JD(U). The resignations of the Muslim JD(U) leaders represent a significant setback for the party and raise serious questions about its future prospects in Bihar. The crisis highlights the importance of addressing the concerns of minority communities and upholding the principles of secularism and social justice. The JD(U)'s ability to navigate this crisis will depend on its willingness to engage in meaningful dialogue with Muslim leaders and address their concerns about the Waqf Bill and its potential impact on the community. The upcoming Bihar Assembly election in 2025 will serve as a crucial test of the JD(U)'s ability to regain the trust of its Muslim supporters and maintain its political relevance in the state. The Waqf Bill controversy has exposed deep divisions within the JD(U) and has raised broader questions about the state of secularism and minority rights in Indian politics. The future of the JD(U) and its relationship with the Muslim community will depend on how the party responds to this crisis and whether it is willing to reaffirm its commitment to the principles of social justice and equality.
Source: Four more JD(U) leaders resign after party supports Waqf Bill