The party’s controversial backing of the Waqf Bill sparks outrage among Bihar’s Muslim community
Mohammad bin Ismail | Clarion India
PATNA/NEW DELHI – The recent press conference of the Janata Dal-United (JD-U), called to address mounting criticism over the party’s support for the Waqf Bill, has left many questions unanswered, as party leaders, especially from the Muslim community, remained conspicuously silent.
The party’s backing of the Waqf Bill has stirred a political storm in Bihar, particularly among the Muslim community, with many describing it as a betrayal of their interests. The press conference, hosted by JD-U’s minority cell, was intended to repair the damage caused by the party’s controversial stance. However, rather than providing clarity, the event only heightened the growing sense of anxiety within the party, as leaders present failed to respond to critical questions from the media.
Prominent Muslim leaders, including Ghulam Ghos and Ashfaq Karim, who have long opposed the Waqf Bill, were present at the press conference, yet none of them offered any substantial replies to pointed questions. The lack of engagement was palpable when reporters pressed for details on their stance. When asked directly about their position on the bill, the leaders, including Ghos and Karim, remained tight-lipped and quietly left the event.
“The silence of these leaders is a clear indication of the deep divide within the party,” said one political analyst. “Their presence at the press conference did little to mitigate the damage. In fact, it only added to the growing disillusionment among Muslim voters.”
Several other JD-U Muslim leaders, including Afzal Abbas, president of the party’s minority cell and a member of the Shia Waqf Board, as well as Ashraf Ansari, president of the Sunni Waqf Board, also attended the press conference. Despite their presence, neither Abbas nor Ansari provided any clarity regarding their support for the controversial bill.
In a statement during the press conference, Anjum Ara, a member of the Sunni Waqf Board, attempted to justify the party’s position by claiming that the suggestions put forward by JD-U concerning the Waqf Bill had been accepted, leading to their eventual support. Ashraf Ansari echoed similar sentiments, but the media’s repeated questions went unanswered, sparking tension and even confrontations between JD-U leaders and reporters.
Ashfaq Karim was evasive in his stance on the Waqf Amendment Bill and the former Rajya Sabha member simply walked away without responding. Similarly, when Afzal Abbas, head of the Shia Waqf Board, was asked if his stance on the Waqf Bill had changed, he too chose to remain silent and left the event hastily.
The situation has only intensified the sense of loss within the JD-U, as several key Muslim leaders, including Ghos and Karim, have either resigned or distanced themselves from the party. Many others, frustrated by the party’s handling of the issue, are expected to follow suit, with some already contemplating their exit from the party.
Tejashwi Yadav, leader of the Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD), has been one of the most vocal critics of the JD-U’s actions. In a statement, Yadav accused the ruling party of coercing Muslim leaders into supporting the bill under duress. “These leaders were forced to toe the party line. They were told that if they wanted to remain in their positions, they would have to support the bill,” Yadav remarked.
The fallout from this political debacle has cast a shadow over JD-U’s future in Bihar, with many questioning the party’s commitment to the Muslim community. The lack of clear communication and the silence of key figures at the press conference has only served to fuel the growing sense of betrayal among Muslim voters, many of whom feel alienated by the party’s stance on the Waqf Bill.
The controversy continues to unfold, and the JDU’s attempts to salvage its reputation within the Muslim community seem to be faltering. The party’s internal divisions and the growing dissatisfaction among its Muslim leaders suggest that the damage may be irreparable, potentially weakening its support base in the upcoming elections.
The coming days will likely reveal whether the JD-U can regain the trust of its Muslim supporters or if this political storm will mark the beginning of a significant shift in Bihar’s political landscape.
