Opposition Unites Against Controversial Waqf Amendment Bill

Union Minister Chirag Paswan accused the Opposition of misleading the public about the Waqf Amendment Bill before its parliamentary discussion. Amidst political protests, he highlighted electoral motives behind opposition actions. Opposition parties, including RJD and Congress, joined forces to vehemently oppose the bill, citing community and corruption concerns.

Union Minister Chirag Paswan on Wednesday lashed out at segments of the Opposition, claiming they are intentionally deceiving the public over the Waqf Amendment Bill, despite it not yet being debated in Parliament. His comments followed Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M.K. Stalin's resolution against the bill.

Paswan accused Opposition forces of fostering a narrative against the Muslim community to further political agendas. He alleged that certain figures were disseminating misinformation ahead of debates, alongside protests by Bihar Assembly MLAs, which he linked to approaching elections rather than genuine communal concerns.

The minister also sharply criticized Muslim religious groups, urging them to hold political leaders accountable for exploiting the Muslim vote bank. Concurrently, Opposition parties rallied outside the Bihar Legislative Assembly, challenging issues like the Waqf Amendment Bill 2024 and advocating for a revised quota in the Constitution's Ninth Schedule.

Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) leaders expressed their dissent with slogans against the Waqf Bill and called out the government's intentions to privatize national assets. Their resistance is shared by Congress, as articulated by Ajit Sharma, who demanded a withdrawal of the bill and emphasized investigating alleged rampant corruption in Bihar.

Prominent leaders, including RJD chief Lalu Prasad Yadav and Tejashwi Yadav, have united under the banner of the All India Muslim Personal Law Board (AIMPLB), vowing to fight what they label as an unconstitutional encroachment on community rights.

(With inputs from agencies.)