Ashok Chaudhary’s controversial comment amid Muslim discontent over Waqf law support drew sharp reactions from RJD and caused discomfort within his own party
Abdullah Salam | Clarion India
PATNA – A political storm is brewing in Bihar after Ashok Chaudhary, senior Janata Dal-United (JD-U) leader and minister in the Nitish Kumar government, slighted Muslim clerics by claiming that they have no power to sway Muslim voters in the state.
Chaudhary’s comment came amid growing anger among sections of the Muslim community over JD-U’s support for the controversial Waqf legislation in both houses of Parliament.
Speaking at an Eid Al-Fitr event organised by JD-U MLC Dr Khalid Anwar, Chaudhary said, “We do not need any Maulana and people like him. We work for the people. If Muslims think Nitish Kumar is a good man and has worked for us, they will vote for him—not on the advice of Maulanas and clerics.”
The statement, now widely circulated on social media, has triggered widespread backlash from opposition parties and has led to internal unease within JD-U.
The Muslim community in Bihar, which forms a significant portion of the electorate, has increasingly been feeling uneasy with Chief Minister Nitish Kumar and his party’s support of the Waqf law. Muslim leaders and citizens have been critical of the law claiming that it threatens community property rights and undermines the autonomy enjoyed by the Waqf Boards.
The situation escalated further when Minister Chaudhary chose to criticise Muslim religious leaders, seemingly adding fuel to the fire.
“Nitish Kumar has worked for Muslims for 20 years. No other leader, while staying with the BJP, has shown this courage—of standing against rioters, putting even powerful people behind bars. So those who doubt him should look into their conscience and not listen to clerics,” Chaudhary told the media.
The opposition Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) wasted no time in reacting to the controversial remarks. The party’s chief spokesperson in the state, Shakti Singh Yadav, said: “People like Ashok Chaudhary are now openly guided by the RSS ideology. They are hardcore Sanghis. What do they understand about Islam or humanity?”
He further accused JD-U of having “turned into a frontal organisation of the BJP. Those who once stood with secularism are now ridiculing Maulanas and Ulema who guide the community with wisdom and principles.”
He added: “Those licking the boots of the BJP have no right to question those who stand with their people. JD-U has become a political hell, and no one wants to stay in hell,” he said.
Leader of Opposition Tejashwi Yadav also condemned the statement. But focused his criticism on the legislation itself. He reiterated his party’s stand: “We have already declared it unconstitutional. We opposed it then, and will continue to oppose it in the future,” he said.
“The government should listen to the genuine concerns of the Muslim community instead of insulting their religious leadership. Statements like these reflect the arrogance of power and political insecurity,” the RJD leader said.
While Chaudhary remains unapologetic, JD-U spokesperson Neeraj Kumar attempted to downplay the controversy without directly addressing Chaudhary’s comments. “We don’t know who says what, but Nitish Kumar is a leader who respects all faiths. He visits Shariah institutions and has always shown respect for Maulanas,” he said.
A senior JD-U leader, requesting anonymity, suggested that the remarks may not reflect the party’s official stance. “Some people get power without merit, and they misuse it by making such remarks. Their reality is known to everyone now. It’s only a matter of time before their true affiliation becomes public,” the leader said, hinting at internal disapproval.
Nitish Kumar, who has often projected himself as a secular leader despite recent alliances with the BJP, has so far remained silent on the controversy. His long-standing relationship with Bihar’s Muslim community has been seen as a key factor in his political success. However, recent moves—such as the support for the Uniform Civil Code and the Waqf law—have created visible cracks in that relationship.
Chaudhary’s statement could further alienate Muslim voters, particularly if not publicly addressed by the chief minister himself.
Religious scholars and clerics have also expressed deep disappointment. Maulana Mohammad Qasim, a prominent scholar from Patna, said, “If they say they don’t need Maulanas, it means they don’t need guidance, knowledge, or spirituality. This is not just an insult to us, but to the very culture of harmony Nitish Kumar once represented.”
Another cleric from Darbhanga, Maulana Zubair Ahmad, remarked, “Our role is to offer moral direction. Denigrating Maulanas for votes is a cheap political trick. If Nitish Kumar does not clarify his stand, Muslims will reconsider their support to him.”
As Bihar prepares for the assembly elections, JD-U’s position with the Muslim electorate hangs in balance. The community, once considered a reliable support base for Nitish Kumar, now seems uncertain. Analysts believe that Chaudhary’s statement could be a calculated gamble to appease the BJP base, but it may cost JD-U its secular credentials.
Political analyst Rashid Anwar feels that the JD-U appears to be testing the waters for a new strategy—one that involves gradually shedding its old secular image. “But this is a risky game, especially in a state like Bihar, where caste and community sentiments run deep,” he said.
With pressure mounting on Nitish Kumar to respond, both within his party and from outside, the question remains: Will he disown the remarks, or stay silent and risk alienating a crucial section of his voter base?
