The JD-U, TDP and the LJP stabbed their voters, Muslims, not in the back but in the chest, says noted human rights activist Prof Apoorvanand
Waquar Hasan | Clarion India
NEW DELHI – Political parties led by Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar and Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister Chandrababu Naidu have come under fire for supporting the Waqf Amendment Bill in the Lok Sabha.
Despite fierce criticism from Opposition parties and several Muslim organisations, MPs of the two parties stood firmly behind the legislation, which was passed by the Lower House of Parliament late on Wednesday after a 12-hour acrimonious debate. A total of 288 members voted for the bill and 232 voted against it.
In the run-up to the introduction of the bill in Parliament, there were some anxious moments for the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) as it was far away from the majority mark on its own with only 240 seats. It required support from Kumar’s Janta Dal-United and Naidu’s Telugu Desam Party (TDP) to pass any legislation in the lower house.
Kumar’s JD-U had initially demanded that the bill not be implemented with retrospective effect but ultimately chose to support it. This move has raised questions about Kumar’s commitment to protecting the rights of Muslim citizens in Bihar. Critics argue that the bill undermines the autonomy of Waqf boards and threatens the rights of Muslim communities.
Despite receiving significant Muslim votes that helped them gain power in their respective states, the JD-U and TDP have backed the Waqf Bill, which has faced fierce opposition from several influential Muslim groups and religious organisations.
All India Muslim Personal Law Board (AIMPLB), the most influential body of Muslims, has been spearheading the movement against the bill calling it communal and discriminatory. Despite the Muslim board’s several appeals to JD-U and the TDP, the two parties did not back down from supporting the controversial bill.
As the bill was passed in the Lak Sabha, anger erupted against both allies of the BJP government.
Noted human rights activist Prof Apoorvanand said: “JD(U), TDP and LJP stabbed their voters, Muslims, not in the back but in the chest!”
Slamming both allies of the BJP, DMK spokesperson Saravanan Annadurai said: “What is the excuse that will be offered by Chandrababu Naidu and Nitish Kumar for the passage of the Wakf Amendment act? History will not forgive them!”.
Journalist Rohini Singh said “Doesn’t matter how many times the TDP MP repeats his party’s commitment to the welfare of minorities. TDP has, forever, alienated Muslims by supporting the Waqf bill. Naidu should now focus solely on ladoos”.
Congress youth leader Srinivas said that Kumar, Naidu, Rashtriya Lok Dal chief Jayant Chaudhry and Lok Janshakti Party chief Chirag Paswan stood by the government by compromising with their conscience.
“With only 16 MPs more than the opposition, BJP got the Wakf Amendment Act passed in the Lok Sabha to give new work to its hatemonger supporters. But history is witness that even at midnight, 232 opposition MPs remained firm, but leaders like Nitish Kumar, Chandrababu Naidu, Chirag Paswan, Jayant Chaudhary were standing with the government by selling their conscience,” he said.
Muslim groups have been putting pressure on both parties to withdraw their support of the Waqf Bill. However, JD-U and TDP did not pay attention to these protests and went ahead with their support for the controversial legislation.
While supporting the Waqf (Amendment) Bill in the Lok Sabha on Wednesday, TDP and JD-U repeatedly pointed out the commitment of their parties to “the welfare of Muslims” and “secularism”. The TDP had one suggestion for the government, to amend the provision for the inclusion of non-Muslims in Waqf boards give flexibility to state governments on the matter.
If the JD-U sought to underline that the party had done more for Muslims “than any other party in Bihar since Independence”, the TDP reiterated several times its commitment to the upliftment of Muslims.
