Patna witnessed a massive demonstration on Wednesday as nearly 10,000 people gathered to protest against the Waqf (Amendment) Bill 2024. The protest, organized by the All India Muslim Personal Law Board (AIMPLB), saw participation from various political and social leaders, including veteran socialist leader and former Bihar Chief Minister Lalu Prasad Yadav. Addressing the gathering, Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) leader and Leader of Opposition in the Bihar Assembly, Tejashwi Yadav, assured the protesters that his party would continue to oppose the bill at all levels. He accused the government of trying to infringe upon religious rights and vowed to prevent the passage of what he called an “unconstitutional and undemocratic” law. Despite efforts to raise the issue in the Bihar Assembly, Tejashwi stated that the House was adjourned without discussion, reflecting the government’s unwillingness to address public concerns.
The protest saw a strong show of unity among various Muslim and Bahujan leaders, reinforcing the broader opposition to the bill. Veteran Muslim scholars, AIMPLB members, and political figures such as Azad Samaj Party President Chandrashekhar Azad and Jan Suraaj Party founder Prashant Kishor also took the stage to condemn the proposed amendments. IUML MP ET Muhammed Basheer and SP MP Mohibbullah Nadvi lent their voices to the protest, emphasizing the importance of safeguarding religious rights. Chandrashekhar Azad remarked that whenever marginalized communities face injustice, they have the constitutional right to protest and defend their rights. He urged the people to remain vigilant against any attempts to weaken their constitutional protections.
Criticism of the bill was further amplified by Syed Sadatullah Husaini, vice president of the AIMPLB, who accused the government of deliberately targeting religious institutions. He called the Waqf (Amendment) Bill a “blatantly anti-minority and discriminatory” move that must be resisted at all costs. Husaini urged voters to hold their representatives accountable, warning that any MLA or MP who supports the bill cannot claim to uphold secular values. Protesters also demanded clarity on the implications of the amendments, fearing that they would lead to greater government control over Waqf properties. With opposition parties, community leaders, and legal experts joining the chorus against the bill, the protest in Patna marked a significant moment in the ongoing nationwide resistance against the proposed changes.
