Key Points
Paswan alleges opposition misleading public on Waqf Bill
Links Bihar protests to upcoming elections
Criticizes Muslim orgs for not holding leaders accountable
RJD, Congress oppose bill, call it unconstitutional
His remarks came in response to Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M.K. Stalin's resolution opposing the bill.
"As part of a well-thought-out strategy, there are many groups in the Opposition who want to create an environment that the Waqf Amendment Bill is against Muslims," Paswan said.
He added that despite the bill not yet being debated in Parliament, certain political figures were "already sending wrong messages to the people."
Paswan also addressed the protests staged by Opposition MLAs outside the Bihar Assembly on Tuesday, linking their actions to electoral considerations rather than genuine concerns for the Muslim community.
"All this is being done with a political point of view. Elections are upcoming in Bihar, which is why they are remembering Muslims," he remarked.
The minister further criticised Muslim religious organisations, arguing that they were failing to hold political leaders accountable for their actions. "I also have a problem with Muslim religious organisations, who are not questioning the people who pretend to be the well-wishers of Muslims, but have done nothing except looting Muslims and exploiting their vote bank," he said.
Meanwhile, on Thursday, the opposition parties protested outside the Bihar Legislative Assembly on various issues, including the Waqf (Amendment) Bill 2024 and the inclusion of the revised quota in the Ninth Schedule of the Constitution.
RJD leaders were seen holding posters that read, "We reject the Waqf Bill and strongly oppose the Waqf Amendment Bill."
Speaking to ANI, RJD MLA Mukesh Kumar Yadav said, "The Waqf (Amendment) Bill 2024 is a contraindication against a specific person and community. The government wants to hand over the Waqf properties to some industrialists. Just like railways and airways were privatised, it wants to hand over all the properties of the nation to some private institutions. RJD and opposition are against this Bill and if it is passed in the Parliament, RJD, under the leadership of Lalu Yadav and Tejashwi Yadav, will not let it be implemented on the ground level. We fight for the rights of every community. Therefore, we want inclusion of Bihar's 65% reservation in the Ninth Schedule of the constitution."
Congress leader Ajit Sharma said, "Waqf (Amendment) Bill should be taken back... Corruption in Bihar is at its peak and all the authorities must be investigated... There should be strict action against corruption."
Earlier on Wednesday, Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) chief Lalu Prasad Yadav and Leader of Opposition in the Bihar Assembly Tejashwi Yadav joined the protest organized by the All India Muslim Personal Law Board (AIMPLB) against the Waqf (Amendment) Bill.
Addressing the protestors, Tejashwi assured them that his party and its leader, Lalu Yadav, firmly stand with them in their fight against the "unconstitutional" Waqf (Amendment) Bill.
