The Janata Dal (United)’s efforts to contain the growing backlash over its support for the controversial Waqf (Amendment) Bill ended in further embarrassment and confusion on Saturday, after a much-publicised press conference in Patna spiralled into awkward silence. The event, expected to clarify the party’s position and dispel community concerns, instead heightened suspicions of internal dissent and alleged coercion.
Three senior Muslim leaders of the JD(U) — MLC Gulam Gaus, Bihar Shia Waqf Board Chairman Afzal Abbas, and former Rajya Sabha MP Mohammad Ashfaq Karim — who had previously spoken out against the Bill, were present at the event. Their inclusion in the press meet had created anticipation that they might offer explanations for their earlier criticism or perhaps announce a shift in stance following closed-door discussions with the party leadership.
However, the press conference took a dramatic turn when reporters questioned the three leaders about their earlier opposition to the Waqf Bill and whether they had changed their opinion. Shockingly, they were not allowed to respond. JD(U) functionaries quickly intervened, preventing them from speaking to the media. The event abruptly concluded soon after, without any clear answers, leaving both the journalists and political observers bewildered.
This silence not only raised eyebrows but also fuelled allegations that the leaders were pressured or coerced into attending the event and made to remain quiet. Neither Afzal Abbas nor Ashfaq Karim responded to follow-up questions from journalists. When contacted by India Today, both leaders declined to comment, their silence amplifying speculation about discontent within the party ranks.
Instead, JD(U) Minority Cell President Ashraf Ansari and party spokesperson Anjum Ara took charge of the press interaction. They attempted to downplay the controversy and reaffirmed the party’s commitment to protecting the rights of the Muslim community. “Till the time Nitish Kumar is in power in Bihar, no one can tamper with the rights and security of Muslims,” Ara stated. She added that JD(U) remains committed to inclusive governance and community harmony, and claimed that the Waqf Bill was being misunderstood by certain sections.
Despite these reassurances, the episode did little to contain the internal dissent. The party is already facing a wave of resignations — five Muslim leaders have quit in protest against JD(U)’s support for the Bill. These resignations have deepened the political crisis and raised fresh concerns about the erosion of Muslim support for Nitish Kumar’s leadership ahead of the crucial Bihar assembly elections.
The opposition has wasted no time in exploiting the situation. Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) leader and Leader of the Opposition in the Bihar Assembly, Tejashwi Yadav, sharply criticized the press conference. He alleged that the Muslim leaders were “forced” to attend and silenced by the party brass. “It was a staged event. All three leaders sat silently because they had been ordered not to speak. Everyone inside JD(U) knows a grave injustice has been done to the Muslim community,” Yadav said.
The Waqf (Amendment) Bill, passed with JD(U)’s support in both Houses of Parliament, grants the central government greater control over the administration and management of Waqf properties — lands and assets donated by Muslims for religious or charitable purposes. Many in the Muslim community see the bill as an encroachment on their religious autonomy and a politically motivated step that could weaken the constitutional safeguards granted to minority-run institutions.
What was intended to be a damage-control exercise by JD(U) has instead brought greater scrutiny on the party’s internal fractures and its relationship with Bihar’s substantial Muslim electorate. Political analysts believe that this crisis could have long-term consequences for the JD(U), particularly if the perception grows that the party is no longer a reliable ally of the minority community. With elections looming, Nitish Kumar will need to work harder to restore trust and manage the growing unease within his own party and among his traditional voter base.
