New Delhi: Two leaders of Nitish Kumar's Janata Dal (United) resigned from the party on Thursday over the party's support to the passing of the Waqf Amendment Bill in the Lok Sabha.
In a letter to CM Nitish Kumar, senior JD(U) leader Mohammed Qasim Ansari said the party supporting the Centre on the Waqf issue has left him "disheartened." Qasim Ansari said the Waqf Amendment Bill "goes against our principles."
He further said, "The Waqf Bill is against Indian Muslims. We cannot accept it under any circumstances. This bill violates many fundamental rights of the Constitution. Through this bill, Indian Muslims are being humiliated and insulted... Neither you nor your party realises this. I regret that I gave many years of my life to the party," Qasim Ansari said.
Another leader, Mohammad Ashraf Ansari, who heads the JD(U) minority wing, in his resignation letter stated that millions of Indian Muslims had unwavering faith that Nitish Kumar was the flag-bearer of a purely secular ideology.
He further said, this belief has been broken. Millions of dedicated Indian Muslims and workers like us have been deeply hurt by the stand of JD(U)
He also said that it was upsetting the way Lallan Singh gave his speech and supported this bill in the Lok Sabha. "The Waqf Bill is against Indian Muslims," Ashraf Ansari said.
What Lalan Singh Said In His Speech
Expressing support for the Waqf Amendment Bill in Lok Sabha, Union Minister Rajiv Ranjan (Lalan) Singh said the law is aimed at bringing transparency and ensuring the welfare of all sections of the Muslim community.
The JD(U) leader said attempts have been made since the beginning of the discussion to create an atmosphere that the bill is "anti-Muslim" and said it is not against the community.
He also said, Waqf is a sort of trust which is formed to work in the interest of Muslims. This is not a religious organisation.
"The trust has the right to do justice to all sections of Muslims, but that is not happening... Today, a narrative is being made. Prime Minister Narendra Modi is being criticised, if you do like him then do not look at him. But appreciate his good work," Singh said.
He also accused the opposition of creating a false narrative for political gain.
Singh said the bill would improve the management of Waqf properties and ensure their income is properly used for the welfare of Muslims.
