Two JDU Leaders Steps Down Over Party's Stand On Waqf Bill: 'I Am Disheartened'

The bill was passed late at night in the Lok Sabha, with JD(U)—a key NDA ally—backing it despite strong opposition from several quarters. 

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Bihar CM Nitish Kumar (PTI Image)

Two senior Janata Dal (United) leaders Mohammed Qasim Ansari and Mohammed Nawaz Malik resigned from the party and all its posts, citing disagreement with JD(U)’s stance on the Waqf Amendment Bill. The bill was passed late at night in the Lok Sabha, with JD(U)—a key NDA ally—backing it despite strong opposition from several quarters.

In a letter addressed to JD(U) president and Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar,  Ansari voiced strong disappointment over the party’s backing of the Waqf Amendment Bill. He said the move had broken the trust of millions of Indian Muslims who looked to JD(U) as a defender of secular values.

Ansari also condemned JD(U) leader Lalan Singh’s remarks in the Lok Sabha, describing the bill as anti-Muslim and a breach of constitutional rights. He further called it discriminatory towards the Pasmanda Muslim community.

In his letter to Nitish Kumar, the senior JDU leader said: “Millions of Indian Muslims like us had unwavering faith in you as a flag bearer of a truly secular ideology. However, that belief has now been shattered. The stand taken by JD(U) on the Waqf Bill Amendment Act 2024 has deeply shocked millions of dedicated Indian Muslims and activists. We are extremely disheartened by the manner in which Lallan Singh delivered his speech and supported this bill in the Lok Sabha."

Expressing regret over his long association with the party, he stepped down from its primary membership and relinquished all official responsibilities.

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“The Waqf Bill is against Indian Muslims, and we cannot accept it under any circumstances. This bill violates several fundamental rights enshrined in the Constitution. It humiliates and insults Indian Muslims while also being discriminatory against the Pasmanda community. Neither you nor your party seem to realize this. I regret dedicating many years of my life to the party. Therefore, I am voluntarily resigning from the primary membership and all other responsibilities within the party," he added.

Location :
New Delhi, India, India

First Published:
April 03, 2025, 19:43 IST