JDU Clarifies Support For Waqf Amendment Bill, Says Support Came After Key Suggestions Were Accepted

JDU leader Anjum Ara on Saturday defended the party’s decision to support the Waqf (Amendment) Bill, stating that the party's support came only after all its five suggestions were accepted by the government. Her clarification followed internal dissent and resignations from several JDU members after the party voted in favour of the Bill in both Houses of Parliament.

Ara outlined the five key conditions the JDU had proposed, which included ensuring that the law would not apply retrospectively and respecting the state’s authority over land. She added that the government agreed to all these points, leading to the party's endorsement.

JDU's Five Conditions For Supporting Waqf Amendment Bill 2025

According to Anjum Ara, the party's suggestions included:

- Land is a state subject: The law should respect this federal principle and maintain the priority of state authority over land matters.

- Prospective implementation: The amended law should be applied prospectively, not retrospectively.

- Protection of religious institutions: Any unregistered Waqf property that has a religious institution established on it should remain untouched.

- Dispute resolution authority: Officers above the rank of District Magistrate should be authorised to resolve disputes related to Waqf properties.

- Extension of registration timeline: The six-month deadline for registering Waqf Board properties on a digital portal should be extended.

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Despite these assurances, five JDU leaders, Nadeem Akhtar, Raju Nayyar, Tabrez Siddiqui Alig, Mohammad Shahnawaz Malik and Kasim Ansari, resigned from the party in protest. Their exits come at a politically sensitive time, with Bihar preparing for assembly elections.

The All India Muslim Personal Law Board had earlier appealed to secular parties and NDA allies to oppose the Bill, adding pressure on JDU’s minority leaders.

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In response, JDU National Spokesperson Rajeev Ranjan Prasad reiterated that Chief Minister Nitish Kumar remains committed to minority welfare and that the Bill does not compromise Muslim interests. JD(U) MLC Khalid Anwar also dismissed fears of a larger exodus, asserting the party's secular and democratic values and reaffirming that leaders stand firmly with Nitish Kumar.

The Waqf (Amendment) Bill was passed after intense debates. In the Rajya Sabha, 128 MPs voted in favour and 95 against, while in the Lok Sabha, 288 supported the Bill and 232 opposed it.

(With agency inputs)