Bihar chief minister walks a tightrope, faces pressure from Muslim leaders
Mohammad Alamullah | Clarion India
NEW DELHI — As the Waqf Amendment Bill 2024 continues to stir controversy, Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar finds himself in a precarious position, balancing the demands of his significant Muslim vote bank with the political alliances that have shaped his recent tenure. The question is whether Nitish Kumar will make a U-turn on the bill to appease the 17% Muslim population that has historically supported his party, the Janata Dal-United (JD-U).
The bill has sparked widespread discontent among Muslims in Bihar, a community that makes up nearly 17.7% of the state’s population. Nitish Kumar has been holding frequent meetings with Muslim leaders, offering assurances and attempting to allay their fears. However, the dissatisfaction remains palpable, and the stakes are high for the chief minister, whose party risks losing a significant portion of its vote bank.
JD-U’s advocacy of the bill in the Lok Sabha, where it argued that the Waqf Amendment Bill is not anti-Muslim, has done little to assuage concerns. The Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD), led by Tejashwi Yadav, has openly opposed the bill, further complicating the political landscape for Nitish Kumar. With the RJD positioning itself as a defender of Muslim interests, the JD-U’s Muslim support base appears to be dwindling.
The potential loss of the Muslim vote is a significant concern for Nitish Kumar. Bihar’s recent caste survey indicates that Muslims make up a substantial portion of the state’s population, with 4.80% being upper-class Muslims, 2.03% being backward Muslims, and 10.58% extremely backward Muslims. This demographic has historically played a crucial role in Nitish Kumar’s electoral successes.
However, Muslim disenchantment with the JD-U began as early as 2020 when none of the 11 Muslim candidates fielded by the party won in the Bihar Assembly elections. The trend continued in the 2024 Lok Sabha elections, where not a single Muslim candidate from the party was victorious. The growing sentiment among Muslims is that the JD-U no longer represents their interests, a perception that could have dire consequences for the party in upcoming elections.
Efforts to Reassure Muslims
In response to the growing unrest, Nitish Kumar has intensified his outreach efforts, meeting with prominent Muslim leaders and ensuring that his Minority Welfare Minister, Jama Khan, is actively engaged with the community. The chief minister has also had discussions with influential figures such as All India Muslim Personal Law Board President Khalid Saifullah Rahmani, as well as leaders from the Sunni and Shia Waqf Boards.
“Nitish Kumar has assured us that no injustice will be done to the Muslim community,” said Shia Waqf Board Chairman Afzal Abbas. Similarly, Sunni Waqf Board Chairman Irshadullah expressed hope that the chief minister would take a decision that reflects the concerns of Muslims. Despite these assurances, the pressure on Nitish Kumar to take decisive action remains high.
The Political Calculus
Political analysts suggest that the JD-U’s recent alignment with the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has alienated a significant portion of its Muslim support base. “Ever since Nitish Kumar joined hands with the BJP, there has been growing resentment among Muslims in Bihar,” said political expert Priya Ranjan Bharti. She pointed out that the JD-U’s stance on contentious issues such as the triple talaq bill, the Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA), and now the Waqf Amendment Bill, has only deepened this discontent.
Historically, Bihar’s Muslim population has been closely associated with Lalu Prasad Yadav’s RJD. However, Nitish Kumar was successful in breaking into this vote bank, securing Muslim support in previous elections. However recent trends suggest that the RJD is regaining its hold on this crucial demographic, with many Muslims feeling that their interests are better represented by Tejashwi Yadav.
In a bid to retain Muslim support, Nitish Kumar has launched several schemes aimed at benefiting the community, including the Minority Hostel Scheme, the Minority Residential School Scheme, and the Chief Minister Minority Student Promotion Scheme. These initiatives are part of his broader strategy to demonstrate his commitment to the welfare of Muslims in Bihar.
However, the question remains: Will these efforts be enough to counter the growing dissatisfaction among Muslims over the Waqf Amendment Bill? Nitish Kumar is aware that his political future could be at stake if he fails to address these concerns effectively.
Political Pressure
Muslim leaders from across Bihar and beyond are intensifying their efforts to pressure Nitish Kumar into opposing the Waqf Amendment Bill. They argue that the JD-U’s support for the bill, which they perceive as anti-Muslim, could have lasting consequences for the party’s relationship with the community.
“Nitish Kumar must decide whether he values his alliance with the BJP or the support of the Muslim community,” said a prominent Muslim leader who wished to remain anonymous. “The stakes are high, and a wrong decision could cost him dearly in future elections.”
As the August 30 meeting of the Joint Parliamentary Committee (JPC) on the Waqf Amendment Bill approaches, all eyes are on Nitish Kumar. His ability to navigate this political minefield will determine not only his party’s fortunes but also his legacy as a leader who has long positioned himself as a champion of Bihar’s Muslim community.
For now, Nitish Kumar continues to walk a tightrope, balancing the demands of his political alliances with the expectations of his Muslim constituents. Whether he will take a U-turn on the Waqf Amendment Bill remains to be seen, but one thing is clear: the stakes could not be higher.
