JD(U) leader Mohammed Qasim Ansari resigns from party over its stand on Waqf Bill

Senior JD(U) leader Mohammed Qasim Ansari resigned from the party and all associated posts over the party's stand on the Waqf Amendment Bill. The Waqf Bill was passed in the Lok Sabha late at night, with JD(U), an NDA ally, supporting it despite widespread opposition.

In a letter to JDU president and Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar, Ansari expressed deep disappointment over the party's support for the Waqf Amendment Bill. He said that millions of Indian Muslims had trusted JD(U) to uphold secular values, but that faith was now shattered.

Ansari criticized JD(U) leader Lalan Singh's speech in the Lok Sabha, calling the bill anti-Muslim and a violation of constitutional rights. He also described it as discriminatory against the Pasmanda Muslim community.

In his letter to Kumar, he said, "Millions of Indian Muslims like us had unwavering faith in you as a flag bearer of a truly secular ideology. However, that belief has now been shattered. The stand taken by JD(U) on the Waqf Bill Amendment Act 2024 has deeply shocked millions of dedicated Indian Muslims and activists. We are extremely disheartened by the manner in which Lallan Singh delivered his speech and supported this bill in the Lok Sabha."