Five JDU leaders resign over Nitish Kumar’s stand on Waqf Bill ahead of Bihar Assembly Elections

Soon after Rajya Sabha passed the controversial Waqf (Amendment) Bill, 2025 and Mussalman Wakf (Repeal) Bill on Friday, Prime Minister Narendra Modi reacted calling it a “watershed moment”, saying the bills will help marginalised people who have been denied voice and opportunity.

While the ruling BJP’s allies extended their support to the bill, the consequence was not very pleasant for Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar. Five senior leaders of Nitish Kumar’s Janata Dal (United) have resigned, expressing disappointment with the party’s stand on the Waqf Amendment Bill.

The resignations not only hint at a rift in the party but also come as a major setback to JD(U) with the Bihar Assembly Elections expected to be held in October-November this year.

Leaders who have resigned from the JD(U)

The names of leaders quitting from the party include Raju Nayyar, Tabrez Siddiqui Alig, Mohammad Shahnawaz Malik, Mohammed Kasim Ansari and Nadeem Akhtar. Expressing disappointment with JDU’s stand on the Waqf Bill, Raju Nayyar mentioned in his resignation letter, “I am deeply hurt by the JD(U) voting in favour of this black law, which oppresses Muslims. I resign from the post of former state secretary of JD(U) youth and primary membership of the party. I request to send a letter to the Honorable CM Nitish Kumar and relieve me from all responsibilities.”

In his resignation letter addressed to CM Nitish Kumar, Tabrez Siddiqui Alig stated that the party had “betrayed the trust of the Muslim community.” While another party leader Mohammad Shahnawaz Malik wrote, “Millions of Indian Muslims like us had the firm belief that you are the flag bearer of purely secular ideology. But now this belief has been broken.” Mohammed Kasim Ansari said the Bill “deeply hurt” millions of Muslims.

Waqf (Amendment) Bill passed in Rajya Sabha

The Waqf (Amendment) Bill was passed in Rajya Sabha on Friday with 128 votes in favour and 95 against the legislation. The Opposition has called it “anti-Muslim” and “unconstitutional”, with Congress and AIMIM leaders moving to SC against the Waqf Amendment Bill. However, the BJP-led Central government has referred to as the Rajya Sabha passing the Waqf Amendment Bill as “historic”.

PM Modi on Waqf (Amendment) Bill

In an X post, PM Narendra Modi expressed, “The passage of the Waqf (Amendment) Bill and the Mussalman Wakf (Repeal) Bill by both Houses of Parliament marks a watershed moment in our collective quest for socio-economic justice, transparency and inclusive growth. This will particularly help those who have long remained on the margins, thus being denied both voice and opportunity.”

“Gratitude to all Members of Parliament who participated in the Parliamentary and Committee discussions, voiced their perspectives and contributed to the strengthening of these legislations. A special thanks also to the countless people who sent their valuable inputs to the Parliamentary committee. Yet again, the importance of extensive debate and dialogue has been reaffirmed,” he added.