Muslim bodies snub Nitish Kumar's invite: When Bihar's Iftar parties became platform for big political signals

Nitish Kumar Iftar party

Iftar parties have long been used as a platform for political messaging. This time, the spotlight is on a boycott announced by prominent Muslim organizations, including the Imarat-e-Shariah, that it would not attend the “Sarkari” Iftaar hosted by Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar on Sunday in protest against his support for the Waqf Bill.

After Chief Minister Kumar, RJD President Lalu Prasad held an Iftar party at the home of former minister Abdul Bari Siddiqui on Monday. Another Iftar party occurred at the office of Union minister and LJP (RV) national president, Chirag Paswan, which was attended by CM Kumar and other NDA leaders.

The boycott, which led many Muslim leaders to decline the invite to the "Sarkari" Iftar, highlights a growing divide between the Chief Minister and parts of the Muslim community in Bihar. This situation could have consequences as the Bihar Assembly Elections approach.

The boycott, supported by six other Muslim organizations, marks a strong reaction in the ongoing debate over the Waqf Bill. Critics say the bill threatens the economic and educational interests of Muslims by changing how traditional waqf properties are managed.

Despite the boycott, several Muslim leaders, including some from Imarat-e-Shariah, attended Kumar’s Iftar at his official residence, showing divisions within the community.

Nitish Kumar’s Janata Dal (United) (JD(U)), a key ally of the BJP-led National Democratic Alliance (NDA), played down the protest. JD(U) MLC and chief spokesperson Neeraj Kumar said, “We are happy that many Muslim leaders came to our Iftar. The Imarat-e-Shariah’s announcement is unnecessary.”

The Congress party, part of the opposition Mahagathbandhan coalition led by RJD, defended Nitish. While they oppose the Waqf Bill “in its current form,” Congress leaders warned against mixing “politics with festivities,” according to the Indian Express. Bihar Congress leader Shakil Ahmad Khan said that attending or not attending the Iftar should be a personal choice, not a political statement. The RJD took a more neutral position, with one party leader expressing disappointment over Nitish Kumar’s stance on the Waqf Bill but stating it’s up to individuals to decide.

Iftar parties in Bihar have often shown political trends. They reflect alliances and changes, often indicating larger political shifts. Here are past instances where Iftar parties in Bihar have carried political significance:

2023: Nitish Kumar’s Opposition Unity Push: Bihar CM Nitish Kumar hosted an Iftar where key Opposition leaders, including Tejashwi Yadav, attended. This was seen as a prelude to his efforts in uniting the INDIA bloc against the BJP.

2023: Also, Chirag Paswan skipped CM Nitish Kumar’s iftar party, attends party meet

2022:  RJD-JD(U) Bonhomie Before Split: Lalu Prasad Yadav’s RJD and Nitish Kumar’s JD(U) leaders attended Iftar parties together, signaling a thaw in relations just months before Nitish dumped the BJP to form a new government with the RJD.

2017:  Lalu-Nitish Tension: Amid rising tensions within the Grand Alliance (JD(U)-RJD-Congress), separate Iftar parties were held by Lalu Prasad and Nitish Kumar. This was an early sign of Nitish’s eventual return to the BJP-led NDA.

2013: Modi vs Nitish Rift Widens: Nitish Kumar snubbed an Iftar hosted by BJP leaders in Bihar, marking his clear break with the saffron party over Narendra Modi’s growing dominance in the party.

The All India Majlis-e-Ittehadul Muslimeen (AIMIM) supported the boycott, urging all opposition parties to avoid “Sarkari Iftaars” until the NDA reconsiders the bill. However, critics like Ali Anwar Ansari, head of the All India Pasmanda Muslim Mahaz, argued that political issues should not mix with festive gatherings.