Nearly 10,000 people participated in the protest against the Waqf (Amendment) Bill 2024 in Patna, where veteran socialist leader and former Bihar Chief Minister Lalu Prasad Yadav joined the nationwide demonstration organized by the All India Muslim Personal Law Board (AIMPLB).
Addressing the protesters, RJD leader and Leader of Opposition in the Bihar Assembly, Tejashwi Yadav, assured them that his party and its leader, Lalu Yadav, firmly stand with them in their fight against the “unconstitutional” Waqf (Amendment) Bill.
“RJD leader Lalu Prasad Yadav has come here to support and strengthen you. We have opposed this unconstitutional, undemocratic bill in Parliament, Vidhan Sabha, and Vidhan Parishad,” Tejashwi said.
“Today, we brought an adjournment motion and demanded a discussion on it, but the House was adjourned. We want to tell you that we stand with you on this issue. Our effort is that this bill should not be passed at any cost,” he added.
The protest was led by veteran Muslim leaders representing various Muslim organizations.
Azad Samaj Party President Chandrashekhar Azad and Jan Suraaj Party founder Prashant Kishor were among the speakers. Lawmakers IUML’s ET Muhammed Basheer MP and SP’s Mohibbullah Nadvi MP also joined the protest.
“Understanding the kind of situation in the country today, whosoever’s rights are attacked will come forward to protect them. And the section for which we do politics—the Bahujan Samaj, the weaker section—the Constitution has given them the right to protest to stop the attack on their rights,” said Azad, MP.
“The government’s intervention in religious institutions goes against the Constitution. The proposed Waqf (Amendment) Bill is blatantly anti-minority and discriminatory. Any MLA or MP supporting it cannot claim to be secular. Hold them accountable in every constituency—demand answers, challenge their stand, and expose their hypocrisy,” said Syed Sadatullah Husaini, vice president of All India Muslim Personal Law Board.
 Bill 2024 in Patna, where veteran socialist leader and former Bihar Chief Minister Lalu Prasad Yadav joined the nationwide demonstration organized by the All India Muslim Personal Law Board (AIMPLB).){kind=link}