– Md. Sami Ahmad
Patna witnessed one of the most effective Dharnas on Wednesday, to protest against the Waqf (Amendment) Bill 2024, where a large number of people, including fasting Muslims gathered from across Bihar, including top religious leaders and several other leaders of political parties. The Dharna rejected the Bill, calling it anti-Waqf Bill. The speakers said that the government must withdraw this Bill, otherwise, there will be a nationwide agitation.
Those who attended this Dharna included RJD chief Lalu Prasad, Leader of Opposition Tejashwi Yadav, chief of Azad Samaj Party MP Chandrashekhar Azad, AIMIM MLA Akhtarul Iman, CPI-ML MLA Mahboob Alam and many other leaders.
President Jamaat-e-Islami Hind Syed Sadatullah Husaini rejected the Bill in the strongest words. He said that this Dharna was a warning against the Bill and the Muslim community had awaken.
“This Dharna is just the beginning. If the government does not take back this anti-Waqf Bill, there will be nationwide agitation. We will not sit down unagitated. This black Bill will not be tolerated,” averred Syed Sadatullah. He explained to the audience, “This Bill is anti-Waqf, anti-Muslim, anti-Constitution and anti-common sense and this violates the religious freedom of the Muslim community.
Maulana Mohammed Fazlurrahim Mujaddidi, General Secretary, All India Muslim Personal Law Board (AIMPLB), said that the Waqf Bill termed that this Bill is a design to detach Muslims from their religion. He said, “Any attempt to deprive the Muslims of their religious rights will not be tolerated at all. This Bill is an attempt to grab Waqf properties.”
He added that this is not an issue of the Muslim community. He asked Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar to play his role to stall this Bill, otherwise, he too would be considered among the fascists and communal.
Dr. SQR Ilyas, AIMPLB spokesperson, said, “We kept patience when our community members were lynched, our houses were bulldozed, the bogey of love jihad dehumanised our youths, and during even NRC and CAA. But now, we will not keep silent. We reject this Bill.”
He said, “Our fight is against the autocratic government and those who are supporting this anti-Waqf Bill.” He said this is a warning to those who claim to be secular and still support this anti-Muslim Bill. “If JD(U), TDP and LJP(R) supported this Bill, they will be deprived of the support of Muslims,” declared Syed Ilyas.
Maulana Rizwan Ahmad Islahi, JIH State President, demanded that the Bihar Assembly should pass a resolution against the Waqf (Amendment) Bill. He asked Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar to decide if he wanted to keep JD(U) or turn it into the BJP. He said Kumar knew if he did not support, this Bill would fall flat, so would be the Modi government.
