Sat Apr 05 16:46:25 UTC 2025: ## Bihar RJD Vows to Scrap Waqf Bill if Elected

**PATNA, INDIA** – Leader of the Opposition and RJD leader Tejashwi Yadav has vowed to scrap the recently passed Waqf Bill if his party wins the upcoming Bihar assembly elections. Addressing a press conference Saturday, Yadav announced that the RJD has filed a Supreme Court challenge against the bill, alleging it violates Article 26 of the Constitution, which guarantees freedom to manage religious affairs.

Yadav criticized Chief Minister Nitish Kumar’s JD(U) for their purported support of the bill, highlighting what he described as a poorly attended and hastily concluded JD(U) press conference attempting to portray the bill as beneficial to Muslims. He sarcastically commented on the JD(U)’s shifting political allegiances, predicting a post-election realignment.

Yadav further accused the BJP of using the bill to distract from pressing issues like unemployment and to engage in divisive politics, claiming the bill targets Muslims and could eventually impact other religious minorities. He also highlighted the RJD’s Supreme Court challenge to a Patna High Court decision that overturned a 65% quota increase for marginalized castes, a move he attributed to BJP influence.

In response, Union Minister Chirag Paswan of the Lok Janshakti Party (Ram Vilas) accused the opposition of employing a false narrative surrounding the Waqf Bill to retain their vote bank, citing previous instances such as the Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA), the revocation of Article 370, and the construction of the Ram Temple in Ayodhya. Paswan emphasized that the bill’s amendments are not retroactive and will not impact existing Waqf properties, instead aiming to resolve disputes between Muslim citizens and Waqf Boards.

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