Patna: The political atmosphere in Bihar is heating up after Chief Minister Nitish Kumar’s party, the Janata Dal (United), or JD(U), supported the controversial Waqf Amendment Bill in Parliament. The move has not only angered Muslim leaders within the party but also prompted a sharp offensive from Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD), which branded him ‘Cheatish Kumar’, likening him to an RSS worker.
The Waqf Amendment Bill aims to expand the Central government’s authority over Waqf properties, including dispute adjudication and regulatory oversight. Critics argue that it centralises too much power and threatens the autonomy of Waqf boards, particularly impacting the Muslim community.
RJD’s Visual Attack: Secularism Under Fire
In a calculated political move, the RJD’s social media post didn’t just criticise Nitish’s stand, it visually reimagined him in RSS attire, sending a strong message that his secular credentials were compromised. The attack indicates RJD’s strategy to corner Nitish as someone drifting ideologically closer to the BJP-RSS axis.
RSS सर्टिफ़ाइड मुख्यमंत्री चीटीश कुमार!#waqf #WaqfAmendmentBill pic.twitter.com/RscPaClA7d
— Rashtriya Janata Dal (@RJDforIndia) April 4, 2025
Fallout Within JD(U): Resignations and Dissent
Nitish’s decision to back the bill has led to an internal rift, with four leaders resigning from JD(U) — Mohammad Qasim Ansari, Mohammad Ashraf Ansari, Mohammad Shahnawaz Malik and Mohammad Tabrez Siddiqui.
JD(U) tried to downplay the mass resignations as party spokesperson Rajiv Ranjan Prasad claimed two of them weren’t officially part of the party’s ‘rank and file’.
However, senior Muslim voices like Ghulam Gaus and ex-Rajya Sabha MP Ghulam Rasool Balyawi have openly criticised the move. This signals growing dissatisfaction among Muslim leaders, a key electoral demographic for JD(U).
Muslim Vote Bank: A Risky Gamble?
Muslims constitute nearly 17% of Bihar’s population. Historically, they have been a loyal support base for Nitish Kumar, especially during his non-BJP alliance years. His recent stance on the Waqf Bill could jeopardize that support, particularly as the 2025 Bihar Assembly Elections loom in November.
Legal Resistance: SC Challenge On The Horizon
Several Muslim leaders from Bihar have hinted at challenging the Waqf Amendment Bill in the Supreme Court, a sign of how serious the discontent is. If the bill becomes a rallying point, it could influence electoral narratives across states, not just Bihar.
Strategic Alignment or Political Misstep?
JD(U)’s support, along with that of TDP (16 MPs) and JD(U) (12 MPs), was instrumental in the bill’s passage in Lok Sabha. While this could be seen as a strategic move to maintain alliance harmony with BJP, the timing and optics may cost Nitish more than he gains — especially among minority voters.
Double-Edged Sword for Nitish
By backing the Waqf Bill, Nitish Kumar has chosen a path that may secure short-term political alignments but threatens to alienate a significant section of his traditional voter base. As the RJD sharpens its attacks and internal dissent grows, JD(U)’s ability to navigate this crisis will be closely watched in the months leading up to Bihar’s Assembly elections.
