AIMPLB Begins Nationwide Protest Against Waqf Bill In Patna, Lalu Prasad And Tejashwi Yadav Join Dharna

RJD leader Tejashwi Yadav said that Lalu Prasad Yadav has come here to support and strengthen the Muslim community in their protest against the "unconstitutional and undemocratic" Waqf Bill.

Muslims attend a protest dharna over the Waqf Amendment Bill 2024, in Patna, Wednesday, March 26, 2025.

Source : PTI

The All India Muslim Personal Law Board (AIMPLB) on Wednesday began its nationwide protest against the Waqf Amendment Bill with a rally in Patna, Bihar. Protests were witnessed in the Bihar Assembly as well. 

Visuals from one of the protest site in Patna showed RJD leaders Lalu Prasad Yadav and Tejashwi Yadav joining the demonstration against the Bill, promising their support to the Muslim board.

#WATCH | पटना में वक्फ संशोधन बिल के खिलाफ चल रहे प्रदर्शन में लालू और तेजस्वी की मौजूदगी के मायने क्या हैं? बता रही हैं @NidhiShreeJha

@vishalpandeyk | https://t.co/smwhXUROiK#BreakingNews #Bihar #WaqBill #WaqfBaord #Politics #Patna #AIMPLB #RJD pic.twitter.com/SzYQT41qoQ

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Leader of Opposition in Bihar Assembly and RJD leader Tejashwi Yadav said: "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. Today, we have 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, while speaking to ANI at the protest site in Patna.

#WATCH | Patna: Leader of Opposition in Bihar Assembly and RJD leader Tejashwi Yadav says, "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. Today,… pic.twitter.com/zs22WJiYtu

— ANI (@ANI) March 26, 2025

Later in the day, several protesters who joined AIMPLB's protest against the Bill in Patna were seen resting in a temple near the dharna site. 

VIDEO | Bihar: During the AIMPLB protest against Waqf Amendment Bill in Patna, several protesters were seen resting in a temple close to the dharna site.

"India is a secular country where people of all religion live peacefully. India is like a garden where people of various… pic.twitter.com/iuuKY2VO7w

— Press Trust of India (@PTI_News) March 26, 2025

The development came after a call for a major demonstration by Muslim organisations on Wednesday at Gardanibagh in Patna against the Bill.

In a press conference, the Board's spokesperson, Qasim Rasool Ilyas, criticised the Bill, saying it was introduced on communal lines and violated the rights of Muslims, news agency IANS reported.

"This protest will be against the Waqf Amendment Bill. The Joint Parliamentary Committee (JPC) acted unilaterally on this issue. This Bill has been brought on communal grounds, and it is against our rights," Ilyas said.

He further accused the BJP allies of backing a Bill that he said is detrimental to the Muslim community. "The BJP’s ally parties should not have supported this Bill. We had met them and asked for their support," he added.

Ilyas also expressed dissatisfaction with Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar, saying, "Muslims are upset with Nitish Kumar. He should clarify his stance on this Bill."

The AIMPLB has slammed the Bill believing it to be a direct attack on Muslim rights. The AIMPLB spokesperson has described it as "a betrayal of the Muslim community," saying, "This Bill is like stabbing Muslims in the back," he said.

Calling for nationwide protests, Ilyas said that the move would deliver a strong message to the BJP’s allies. "Through tomorrow's protest, we are sending a message to BJP’s allies that if they support this Bill, they can forget about getting our support," he said, as reported by IANS.

He also noted that the agitation would witness participation from various political parties, and added, "Anyone who believes in the Constitution of the country will stand with us."

According to AIMPLB, the Wednesday protest will be a significant demonstration of Muslim unity against the controversial Bill, with participation of political figures from various parties.