AIMPLB protest against Waqf Amendment Bill: On Wednesday (26th March), the All India Muslim Personal Law Board (AIMPLB) kicked off its nationwide protest against the Waqf Amendment Bill. It held a rally in Bihar’s capital Patna. RJD leaders Lalu Prasad Yadav and Tejashwi Yadav joined the protest, asserting their support to the Muslim board.
Opposing the Waqf Amendment Bill, LoP in Bihar Assembly Tejashwi Yadav termed it as “unconstitutional” and “undemocratic”. He added that the RJD leader Lalu Yadav joined the protest to assure that the party will continue to oppose the bill in Parliament, Vidhan Sabha and Vidhan Parishad.
“Agar ek hokar hum log lade toh Inshallah, hum logon ki jeet tay hai”, Tejashwi Yadav was quoted saying by Times Now.
In a press conference, the AIMPLB spokesperson, Qasim Rasool Ilyas, lamented that the bill was introduced on communal lines alleging that it violated the rights of Muslims. He described it as “a betrayal of the Muslim community. This Bill is like stabbing Muslims in the back.”
The Muslim body has dubbed the bill as a “direct attack on Muslim rights”. It described today’s protest as a significant demonstration of Muslim unity against what it deems as a “controversial Bill” adding that it included participation of political figures from various parties.
Speaking with news agency IANS, Congress MP Kodikunnil Suresh shared the party’s stance on AIMPLB’s announcement to hold a nationwide protest against the Waqf (Amendment) Bill.
Responding to the query, the Congress leader said, “Our stand is very clear—we are completely against the Waqf Bill. In the Joint Parliamentary Committee, we collectively opposed the Waqf Amendment. The All India Muslim Personal Law Board is also protesting today. There is no need for further clarification; both the Congress Party and the INDI Alliance are firmly against the Waqf Amendment”.
Delhi: On AIMPLB announcing a nationwide protest against the Waqf (Amendment) Bill, Congress MP Kodikunnil Suresh says, “Our stand is very clear—we are completely against the Waqf Bill. In the Joint Parliamentary Committee, we collectively opposed the Waqf Amendment. The All… pic.twitter.com/hlJodODQlk
— IANS (@ians_india) March 26, 2025
Congress MP Imran Masood told IANS that he was supposed to go to Patna, but he couldn’t attend the protest because of health issues.
Delhi: On AIMPLB announcing a nationwide protest against the Waqf (Amendment) Bill, Congress MP Imran Masood says, “I was supposed to go to Patna today, but due to a minor health issue, I am now going to the hospital for a small surgery. That’s why I couldn’t go. However,… pic.twitter.com/uR1UGohwfM
— IANS (@ians_india) March 26, 2025
He told IANS, “I was supposed to go to Patna today, but due to a minor health issue, I am now going to the hospital for a small surgery. That’s why I couldn’t go. However, protests are happening across the country, and Muslims are feeling highly oppressed. They will surely raise their voices democratically.” Notably, the responses from Congress leaders suggest a possible recalibration of the party’s stance, potentially distancing itself from a communal platform. However, consistent developments in this direction are needed before drawing any conclusions.
Mumbai, Maharashtra: On Waqf (Amendment) Bill, Congress State President Harshwardhan Sapkal says, “…It is better to speak on this only after the discussion in the Joint Parliamentary Committee (JPC)” pic.twitter.com/2ULgQjtMLz
— IANS (@ians_india) March 26, 2025
Though a major player in the National Capital, Congress’ political power has been waning in Bihar which could be a reason for its low-key presence, if any, in the AIMPLB’s Patna protest. Incidentally, Salman Khurshid and Manickam Tagore represented the Congress party in AIMPLB’s Jantar Mantar protest on 17th March. However, prominent faces of the Congress party have seemingly given a cold shoulder to the Muslim board’s Patna protest, as its presence, if any, has gone completely under the media radar.
West Bengal: Regarding the Waqf (Amendment) Bill, Congress leader Adhir Ranjan Chowdhury says, “The central government is trying to pass a law regarding the Waqf Board in the House and has made all the necessary preparations. There is opposition to this across the country…” pic.twitter.com/roy638YPmu
— IANS (@ians_india) March 26, 2025
Nonetheless, the country could soon be bracing itself for the ominous nationwide anti Waqf protests, with potential of it turning violent. With AIMPLB threatening Shaheen Bagh-like protests, the discourse is unfortunately moving on the lines of anti-CAA agitations which ultimately culminated in the infamous Delhi riots 2020. The atmosphere is already getting politically charged up.
