PATNA - Thousands of Muslim protesters from Bihar, Jharkhand, and Odisha
on Sunday voiced a strong opposition to the Waqf (Amendment) Act, 2025 at
historic Gandhi Maidan here, with many attendees and leaders describing newly
enacted law as “unconstitutional and against the secular fabric of India”.
The organisers described event, ‘Waqf Bachao, Dastur Bachao (Save Waqf,
Save Constitution) conference’, as the largest public demonstration against the
Waqf law. It was organised by Imarat-e-Shariah, which operates in Bihar, West
Bengal, Jharkhand and Odisha,
The new waqf law, enacted by the NDA government at the Centre, is currently
under legal scrutiny in the Supreme Court. It seeks to repeal Mussalman Wakf
Act, 1923 and amend the Waqf Act, 1995. The new Act has renamed as United
Waqf Management, Empowerment, Efficiency and Development Act, 1995.
Those opposing it claim that it undermined religious autonomy and violated
established legal principles and Supreme Court judgments.
The rally received support from Opposition leaders, including Congress leader
Salman Khurshid, Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) leader Tejashwi Yadav, and
Purnia MP Pappu Yadav. In their address, these leaders condemned the
government’s stance and said the country’s identity belonged to its people, and
any attempt to undermine Muslim rights would be fiercely resisted.
Tejashwi Yadav, who is leader of Opposition in Bihar legislative assembly, said,
“This country doesn't belong to anyone's father. Both Hindus and Muslims
fought together for the country's Independence. We will not allow any injustice
to Muslims in Bihar at any cost. The BJP is now going to leave power." He also
warned attendees to remain vigilant about “potential voter list manipulations in
Bihar”, calling it a conspiracy.
Pappu Yadav said “Prime Minister (Narendra) Modi ji, hatred will not prevail in
this country, only love will." He urged people to hold "Gita and Quran in one
hand, and the Tricolour and Constitution in the other" to save India.
Earlier, on his arrival in Patna on Sunday, Khurshid, a former external affairs
minister, expressed concern over the current social and constitutional situation
in the country. Talking to reporters, he stressed on the need to "save both Waqf
and the Constitution."
He said recent changes in Waqf laws and irregularities in voter lists could affect
the democratic process and should be taken seriously by all political parties.
Meanwhile, poll strategist and founder of Jan Suraj party Prashant Kishor also
extended his support to the rally. Talking to reporters in Siwan where he arrived
as part of his ‘Bihar Badlav Yatra’, Kishor said Jan Suraj had been opposing to
the Waqf Bill from the beginning and extended good wishes to the Gandhi
Maidan event.