Several Muslim Bodies Boycott Nitish Kumar's Iftar Party Over His 'Support For Waqf Bill'

BJP spokesperson Prabhakar Mishra condemned all that religious Muslim organisations, including Imarat-e-Shariah, for boycotting CM Nitish Kumar’s Iftar party.

File photo of Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar.

Source : PTI

Several religious Muslim organisations, including Imarat-e-Shariah, boycotted Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar’s Iftar party hosted at his official residence on Sunday. In response, BJP has appealed to these organisations to stay away from the Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) and its actions.

The party emphasised that Nitish Kumar is committed to the development of Bihar with the principle of “Sabka Saath, Sabka Vikas” (Together with All, Development for All) while maintaining social harmony.

Reacting to it, Nazim of Imarat Shariah, Sayedur Rahman Quasmi told the news agency PTI, "Imarat Shariah has boycotted, because Nitish Kumar supports the Waqf Bill. But one thing everyone should know that we are not anguished with Nitish Kumar either. We hope that our protest, that is to happen on March 26, after that Nitish Kumar will review his decision (to support Waqf Bill)."

VIDEO | Bihar: On decision to boycott Iftar party called by CM Nitish Kumar, Nazim of Imarat Shariah, Sayedur Rahman Quasmi says, "Imarat Shariah has boycotted, because Nitish Kumar supports the Waqf Bill. But one thing everyone should know that we are not anguished with Nitish… pic.twitter.com/XTPhVvYocT

— Press Trust of India (@PTI_News) March 23, 2025

BJP Slams RJD For Politicising Boycott

BJP spokesperson Prabhakar Mishra lashed out at the organisations boycotting the Iftar party, stating, “It is highly condemnable that religious Muslim organisations, including Imarat-e-Shariah, have decided to boycott CM Nitish Kumar’s Iftar party. However, the most significant aspect is that the RJD is actively promoting this boycott for its own political gains.”

Multiple Muslim organisations, including the All India Muslim Personal Law Board, Imarat-e-Shariah, Jamiat Ulema-e-Hind, Jamaat-e-Islami Hind, and Khanqah Mujibia, collectively decided to boycott the event. The boycott was triggered by the Janata Dal (United)'s support for the Waqf Amendment Bill 2024.

During a press conference, Imarat-e-Shariah emphasised the need to protect the assets of the Waqf Board, worth crores of rupees, from illegal encroachments. They stated that the Waqf Board Amendment Bill aims to safeguard these properties.

The Bihar Religious Trust Board has also initiated the measurement of lands belonging to temples and monasteries, assuring that Muslims should not be concerned about the issue.

RJD’s chief spokesperson, Shakti Yadav, released a letter from Imarat-e-Shariah regarding the boycott. Following this, the BJP has intensified its attacks on the RJD over the controversy.