New Delhi: The Central government has managed to get the backing of its major allies as the Waqf Amendment Bill faces the test of Parliament. But not all leaders are in agreement with the stance of these parties.
Among disgruntled politicians are two senior Janata Dal (United) leaders, Mohammed Qasim Ansari and Mohammad Ashraf Ansari.
Peeved with JD(U), headed by Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar, for supporting the controversial Bill in both Houses of Parliament, the duo resigned from the party on Thursday.
Pointing out that the Waqf Amendment Bill “goes against our principles”, Ansari wrote a letter to Nitish stating that the party’s decision left him ‘disheartened’.
“I am disheartened that I gave several years of my life to the party,” Ansari stated in his resignation letter, written in Hindi.
“I would like to say with due respect that millions of Indian Muslims like us had unwavering faith that you are the flag bearer of a purely secular ideology. But now this belief has been broken. Millions of dedicated Indian Muslims and workers like us are deeply shocked by the stand of JDU,” Ansari added.
“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,” Ansari added.
Ashraf Ansari, who heads the JD(U) minority wing, stated in his resignation letter that millions of Indian Muslims had unwavering faith that Nitish was the flag-bearer of a purely secular ideology.
“But now this belief has been broken. Millions of dedicated Indian Muslims and workers like us have been deeply hurt by the stand of JD(U)… We are deeply saddened by the manner and style in which Lalan Singh gave his speech and supported this bill in the Lok Sabha. The Waqf Bill is against Indian Muslims,” Ashraf said.
Fellow-JD(U) leader and Union minister Lalan Singh backed the bill, saying that the law is aimed at bringing transparency and ensuring the welfare of all sections of the Muslim community.
The Bill was passed in Lok Sabha well past Wednesday midnight after a 12-hour debate, with a 288-232 voting in its favour.
Debate is ongoing in Rajya Sabha on Thursday, with the Centre enjoying a numerical advantage. Of the current strength of 245 MPs, BJP-led NDA has 125 in the Upper House.
