Senior leader of Janata Dal (United) Mohammed Qasim Ansari on Thursday resigned from the party, citing disagreement over its support for the Waqf Amendment Bill. The bill was passed in the Lok Sabha late at night, with JD(U), an ally of the National Democratic Alliance, backing it despite opposition from several quarters. “I would like to say with due respect that millions of Indian Muslims like us had unwavering faith that you are the flag bearer of a purely secular ideology. But now this belief has been broken. Millions of dedicated Indian Muslims and workers like us are deeply shocked by the stand of JD(U),” he said in his resignation letter.
“This bill violates many fundamental rights of the Constitution. Through this bill, Indian Muslims are being humiliated and insulted… Neither you nor your party realises this. I regret that I gave many years of my life to the party,” he wrote. This comes a day after Union Minister and JD(U) leader Rajiv Ranjan Singh defended the bill in the Lok Sabha, saying it was intended to bring transparency and ensure the welfare of all sections of the Muslim community. He said efforts had been made to portray the bill as “anti-Muslim” but rejected this claim.
“Waqf is a sort of trust which is formed to work in the interest of Muslims. This is not a religious organisation… The trust has the right to do justice to all sections of Muslims, but that is not happening… Today, a narrative is being made. Prime Minister Narendra Modi is being criticised. If you do not like him, then do not look at him. But appreciate his good work,” Singh said.
He accused opposition parties of creating a false narrative for political reasons. He said the bill aimed to improve the management of Waqf properties and ensure their income was used properly for the welfare of Muslims. After a marathon 12-hour debate in the Lok Sabha, the Waqf (Amendment) Bill now moves to the Rajya Sabha, where the NDA holds the upper hand. With 125 MPs in the 245-member House — five more than the Opposition — the numbers are in its favour.
