Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) leader Tejashwi Yadav has stepped in to clarify his recent statement about throwing the Waqf Act into the dustbin. He explained that his intention was not to disregard the law but to state that his party would refrain from implementing the Waqf (Amendment) Act, 2025, in Bihar should the INDIA bloc secure a victory in the upcoming assembly elections.
“What I meant to say is that we will not implement the Waqf (Amendment) Act, 2025, in Bihar, if our government comes. West Bengal chief minister Mamata Banerjee has already said the same earlier. Of course, the matter is still in the Supreme Court. But, yes, the state has its rights and can stop implementation of any act in its own domain,” Yadav stated in an interview.
This clarification comes after Yadav’s remarks drew sharp criticism from BJP leaders. They accused him of attempting to mislead the public, given that the Waqf (Amendment) Act was passed by Parliament and subsequently upheld by the Supreme Court.
Earlier, while addressing rallies in Bihar, Yadav had declared, “If the INDIA bloc comes to power in the state, we will throw the Waqf Act into the dustbin.” He also criticized Chief Minister Nitish Kumar and the RSS for allegedly promoting communal hatred.
The Waqf (Amendment) Act, enacted in April, has been met with mixed reactions. While the ruling NDA views it as a measure to enhance transparency and empower marginalized Muslim communities and women, the opposition argues that it infringes upon the rights of Muslims.
The BJP’s national spokesperson, Syed Shahnawaz Hussain, condemned Yadav’s statements, calling them an attempt to mislead the public and indicative of the RJD’s frustration. BJP MP Manoj Tiwari also commented that Yadav should speak within his capacity, as the Waqf Board bill is a parliamentary matter, not an assembly one.