Union Home Minister Amit Shah has strongly responded to Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) leader Tejashwi Yadav's pledge to discard the Waqf (Amendment) Act if the INDIA bloc wins the upcoming elections in Bihar, asserting that the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) will not allow any obstruction to the implementation of the law. Shah's remarks underscore the escalating political clash between the BJP and RJD over the Waqf Act, ahead of the Assembly elections.
The Waqf (Amendment) Act, passed by Parliament in April 2025, has become a contentious issue in Bihar's political landscape. The BJP-led National Democratic Alliance (NDA) has defended the law as a measure to increase transparency, empower backward Muslims, and promote the welfare of women within the community. Conversely, opposition parties have criticised the Act, claiming it infringes on the rights of Muslims and grants excessive state oversight of Waqf properties. Critics also argue that the amendments could impinge on community rights.
Tejashwi Yadav, the Chief Ministerial candidate for the INDIA bloc, has been vocal in his opposition to the Waqf Act, promising to "throw it into the dustbin" if his coalition comes to power in Bihar. Addressing rallies in Muslim-majority districts, Yadav framed his promise as a defense of the Constitution, democracy, and communal harmony. He accused Chief Minister Nitish Kumar of backing communal forces and blamed the BJP for spreading communal hatred. Yadav also pledged to establish a Seemanchal Development Authority, a world-class university, a super-speciality hospital, and a center of Aligarh Muslim University in the region if his coalition forms the government.
Adding fuel to the fire, RJD MLC Mohammad Qari Sohaib stated that if Yadav becomes Chief Minister, "all bills will be torn apart, including the Waqf bill". These remarks drew immediate criticism from political opponents, who questioned how a state's Chief Minister could overturn a central law.
Amit Shah's strong rebuttal emphasizes the BJP's commitment to the Waqf Act and its determination to ensure its implementation. The BJP has launched a counterattack, accusing Yadav and his family of involvement in scams and corruption cases. The political storm comes after posters appeared across Patna calling Tejashwi Yadav "Bihar ka Nayak" (Hero of Bihar).
The Supreme Court had earlier intervened, temporarily staying provisions of the Act that granted district collectors broad powers over Waqf properties and mandated five years of practicing Islam to create a Waqf. The court also placed a cap on the number of non-Muslims allowed on the Central Waqf Council and State Waqf Boards.
As the political battle intensifies, Yadav has accused the BJP of intimidation through central agencies. He referenced the arrest of L.K. Advani during his father Lalu Prasad's tenure, asserting that he would not be intimidated by such tactics. Yadav also claimed that the current government is copying his schemes, such as raising pensions and giving free electricity. He urged voters to choose between short-term handouts and permanent jobs, reiterating his promise of "one government job for every household in Bihar".
