Nitish Kumar’s JDU Raises Concern Over Waqf Amendment Bill of Modi Govt

New Delhi: Nitish Kumar’s Janata Dal (United) has raised concerns over the government’s Waqf Amendment Bill. It is the third ally of the Modi government to raise red flag at this bill. Chirag Paswan’s Lok Janshakti Party (Ram Vilas) and Andhra Chief Minister Chandrababu Naidu’s Telugu Desam Party have already asked questions at the bill.

The JDU is believed to want changes in the proposed law to safeguard the interests of the Muslims. Bihar has 18 per cent Muslim population and Assembly elections are to be held in the state in 2025.

The JDU’s MP Rajiv Ranjan spoke in favour of the legislation during a debate in the Lok Sabha but pitched for amendments as a much-needed measure for transparency.

JDU’s state Minority Welfare Minister Mohd Zama Khan met the Chief Minister Nitish Kumar to express reservations over certain provisions in the bill. According to rumours, Bihar Water Resources Minister Vijay Kumar Choudhary has also spoken about “apprehensions” of the Muslim community. He is a close aide of the Chief Minister.

JDU leaders, such as MLA Ghulam Gous, also expressed doubts, reports have said.

The apparent growing objection to sections of the new law have resulted in JDU Working President Sanjay Jha and Mr Khan meeting Union Minority Affairs Minister Kiren Rijiju.

Opposition parties including Congress have criticized the bill. The squabble over the Waqf Amendment Bill led to it being sent to a joint committee for further scrutiny. The 31-member committee, led by BJP MP Jagdambika Pal, held its first session on Thursday. The next meeting is scheduled for August 30.