Did RJD’s Call to 'Discard Waqf Act' Ignite a Political Uproar?

New Delhi, June 30 (NationPress) A significant political uproar has erupted following the provocative statements made by RJD leader Tejashwi Yadav during the “Save Waqf, Save Constitution” rally in Patna. Leaders from the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and the INDIA bloc are exchanging barbs regarding the alleged use of Waqf reforms as a tactic to garner votes.

The BJP has labeled it a blatant attempt by the RJD-Congress-Left coalition to sway the electoral climate in the upcoming state elections by inciting anti-Muslim sentiments, while the opposition has vowed to intensify their battle against the ruling party’s communal strategies.

BJP's Rajya Sabha MP Sudhanshu Trivedi accused the opposition of trying to convert the Constitution into a ‘Sharia script’ and criticized their calls to abolish the Waqf reforms, asserting that they are acting out of desperation to secure votes from minorities.

Conversely, the RJD argued that Tejashwi’s appeal to fight against the controversial law has left the BJP feeling anxious, thus manipulating the narrative to frame it as a Hindu-Muslim issue.

During a massive gathering at Patna’s Gandhi Maidan, under the banner of ‘Save Waqf, Save Constitution’ campaign, Bihar’s former Deputy CM declared that the NDA government would be ousted this time, and should the Mahagathbandhan (RJD-Congress-Left) return to power, they would promptly discard the Waqf Amendment Act.

This declaration sparked political outrage, as several BJP spokespersons claimed that the INDIA bloc was attempting to impose Sharia provisions covertly while opposition parties retaliated, alleging the ruling party of igniting communal discord.

Bihar Minister Ashok Choudhary and JD(U) leader criticized RJD’s past governance, questioning their commitment to the community despite being in power for 15 years.

“This aligns with their narrative of representing the M.Y. (Muslim-Yadav) community. But the community should ask, during their rule, how many minority hostels were established? How many madrasas received government recognition?” he inquired.

Union Minister Giriraj Singh sharply criticized RJD’s approach towards Waqf politics, stating that the party, which once claimed to be ‘samaajwadi’, has now become ‘namaazwadi’.

“Lalu Yadav initiated dynasty politics. While indulging in it, Tejashwi started to label himself a socialist. In his attempt to shift from a dynast to a socialist, he has become a ‘namaazwadi’,” the Union Minister remarked.

However, the RJD promptly countered these allegations, asserting that the ‘nervous’ BJP is framing the issue as a Hindu-Muslim divide to incite hatred.

“When a powerful voice was raised against the Waqf Amendment Bill from Patna’s Gandhi Maidan, the BJP grew anxious. Now, BJP leaders are preaching about Hindus and Muslims, spreading animosity. They must remember that this nation will not operate on the agenda of hate-mongers. It will run according to its own laws and Constitution,” stated RJD spokesperson Mrityunjay Tiwari.

Pawan Khera, chairman of Congress party’s media and publicity department, remarked that Congress and its allies opposed the amendments in the Waqf Act, but the government rushed the legislation through the House.

“The opposition voted against the amendments, with 232 votes opposed while 288 members supported it. We will persist in our opposition to this Act,” he declared.

Responding to the controversy, Mukhtar Abbas Naqvi stated, “Whenever elections approach, these individuals attempt to entice votes from a significant section of society through communal polarization. They are once again resorting to gimmicks aimed at creating division and spreading fear. However, they will not succeed in this endeavor.”