‘JD(U) Has Betrayed the Trust of Muslims’: Minority Leaders Resign in Protest Over Party’s Support for Waqf Bill

Tabrez Siddiqui Alig, the General Secretary of the JD(U) Minority Department, has become the third prominent leader to resign from the Janata Dal (United) (JD(U)) in protest over the party’s support for the Waqf (Amendment) Bill. Siddiqui’s resignation follows similar moves by Mohammad Shahnawaz Malik, JD(U)’s Minority State Secretary, and Mohammad Kasim Ansari.

In his resignation letter to Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar, Siddiqui expressed “deep disappointment”, stating that the JD(U) had “betrayed the trust of the Muslim community.” He highlighted that he had always believed the party would uphold secularism, social justice, and the protection of minority rights, but the party’s support for the controversial bill had shaken his faith in its principles. Siddiqui added, “This act is a betrayal of the trust of millions of supporters who repeatedly made you reach the post of Chief Minister.”

He also accused some members close to Nitish Kumar of steering the party away from its basic principles, particularly in regard to its stance on Muslim issues. “My conscience does not allow me to stay in JD(U) anymore,” Siddiqui concluded, resigning with immediate effect.

This resignation comes at a crucial time for the JD(U), as Bihar is gearing up for the upcoming assembly elections. The JD(U)’s decision to support the Waqf Amendment Bill has sparked widespread criticism within the Muslim community, which has been a traditional base for the party.

Earlier, Mohammad Shahnawaz Malik had also resigned from his position as Minority State Secretary, expressing his dismay over the JD(U)’s support for the bill. He accused JD(U) MP Lallan Singh, who had supported the bill in the Lok Sabha, of deeply hurting Muslim sentiments.

In a similar vein, Mohammad Kasim Ansari also submitted his resignation, stating that the party’s stance on the Waqf Amendment Bill had “deeply hurt” millions of Muslims. Like Siddiqui, Ansari expressed how the party’s actions shattered the belief that Nitish Kumar was a true flagbearer of secular ideology.

The Waqf (Amendment) Bill, which was passed in the Parliament early on Friday after a heated debate, aims to overhaul the governance of Waqf properties. Supporters argue that the bill will improve transparency and efficiency, but critics, including several opposition parties and Muslim leaders, have called it a direct attack on the rights of religious minorities and an attempt to control Waqf properties. The bill was passed after a division of votes in the Rajya Sabha, where 128 MPs voted in favor and 95 against.

The JD(U)’s support for the bill has sparked controversy, especially among the Muslim community in Bihar, which has long supported the party for its secular stance. The Mussalman Wakf (Repeal) Bill, which accompanies the Waqf Amendment Bill, was also passed by Parliament.