A significant political controversy has erupted in Bihar after a video surfaced online showing a speaker at an RJD rally making a provocative statement about the Waqf Bill. The speaker urged attendees to ensure Tejashwi Yadav becomes the next Chief Minister, openly calling to "tear apart the Waqf Bill" if Yadav forms the government.
The video, shared on X by BJP's National Spokesperson Pradeep Bhandari, shows a man addressing a public gathering from the RJD stage. He appealed to the crowd not to be misled by the BJP's narrative and to unite behind the RJD leader. He stated, "Do not be misled by the BJP. Those who supported the Waqf Bill must be taught a lesson. BJP, JDU, LJP – all are against us. Once Tejashwi Yadav becomes Chief Minister, all such bills will be torn apart, whether it's the Waqf Bill or any other. This government will be one of humanity and love".
Bhandari's response to the clip asserted that this declaration exposes the RJD's real agenda: to bring back "Jungle Raj at any cost". He accused the RJD of supporting a land mafia that takes land from EBC and SC communities in Bihar for vote bank politics and claimed that Bihar will reject RJD and Congress.
The BJP has strongly criticized the RJD's stance, accusing them of divisive politics and using religious sentiments to polarize voters ahead of the state elections. BJP leaders have stated that the RJD's position on the Waqf Bill is a bid to bring back "jungle raj". They are accusing Tejashwi Yadav of appeasement politics and misleading Muslims.
This is not the first time Tejashwi Yadav's remarks on the Waqf Law have drawn criticism. A few months prior, while addressing a 'Save Waqf, Save Constitution' rally in Patna, Yadav declared that the opposition alliance would abolish the Waqf Act if elected. He stated that the NDA in Bihar is on its way out, and once they form the government, they will consign the Waqf Act brought by the PM Narendra Modi government into the dustbin.
The BJP has previously attacked Yadav for his "dustbin" remark on the Waqf Amendment Act, with BJP spokesperson Dr. Sudhanshu Trivedi stating that it shows the RJD leader neither respects Parliament nor the judiciary. Trivedi accused Yadav of displaying an "anarchic tendency" and disrespecting the Supreme Court, as the Waqf law is currently sub judice. He also alleged that parties like RJD and Samajwadi Party are promoting "namazwad" (promoting Islamic interests) over socialism and are not standing up for the rights of poor and oppressed Muslims.
Jagdambika Pal, a BJP MP, has also accused Tejashwi Yadav of attempting to mislead the people of Bihar ahead of the upcoming Assembly polls, asserting that Yadav and AIMIM leader Asaduddin Owaisi are in a "competition" to treat Muslims as a "vote bank". He defended the Waqf Act, stating that it aims to ensure transparency and benefit poor and backward sections of the community.
The controversy surrounding the RJD leader's stance on the Waqf Law and the BJP's strong reaction highlights the intense political polarization in Bihar. The issue is likely to further intensify the political environment in the poll-bound state as parties gear up for elections.
