Tue Apr 08 08:15:46 UTC 2025: ## Could the Waqf Bill Spark Another Turning Point in Indian Politics?
**New Delhi** – Concerns are rising that the recently debated Waqf Bill could trigger a major political shift in India, mirroring the impact of the Shah Bano case in the 1980s. The Shah Bano case, in which the Supreme Court mandated maintenance payments for a divorced Muslim woman according to civil law, sparked widespread protests and outrage within the Muslim community. This led the Rajiv Gandhi government to overturn the ruling, a decision seen as appeasing Muslim concerns but simultaneously emboldening Hindu nationalist groups.
Veteran journalist Neerja Chowdhury’s book, *How Prime Ministers Decide*, details the widespread Muslim protests following the Shah Bano verdict, describing them as unprecedented in scale and intensity since independence. This event, according to Chowdhury, put immense pressure on the All India Muslim Personal Law Board (AIMPLB) and influenced the Congress party’s decision to pass a bill overriding the court’s judgment.
This move, however, proved strategically detrimental to the Congress. The BJP, then a weaker party, and the RSS capitalized on the perceived appeasement, using the issue to galvanize support for the Ram Mandir movement. Advisors, including Arun Nehru, warned Rajiv Gandhi that failing to address Hindu concerns could cost him significant support. Nehru reportedly suggested building a temple in Ayodhya, enacting a Uniform Civil Code, and abrogating Article 370 as crucial steps to regain Hindu support. The subsequent opening of the Ram Janmabhoomi locks in 1986 is seen as a direct consequence of this political maneuvering.
The author draws parallels between the Shah Bano episode and the current controversy surrounding the Waqf Bill. Similar to the Shah Bano case, the Waqf Bill has ignited anger and protests amongst Muslims who view it as state interference in their religious affairs. The current political climate, however, differs significantly. While the Congress party under Rajiv Gandhi was more receptive to Muslim concerns, the BJP government shows less responsiveness, leading to a sense of disillusionment among many Muslims.
Despite past activism, the Muslim community today, characterized by a new, urban, educated leadership, is increasingly prioritizing economic advancement and avoiding direct political confrontation. However, the author warns that the Waqf Bill controversy could disrupt this fragile equilibrium and potentially trigger unforeseen political consequences, potentially repeating the historical pattern established by the Shah Bano case.
First Piper 