Muslim body announces boycott of Nitish Kumar's iftaar over support to Waqf Bill

Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar at an Iftaar hosted by him at his 1, Anne Marg residence on Sunday. (X/@NitishKumar)

A prominent Muslim body in Bihar has announced that it will boycott the Iftaar hosted by the Bihar government led by Chief Minister Nitish Kumar in protest against the support extended by the Janata Dal (United) to the Waqf Bill brought by the Centre.

The JD(U) termed the decision "uncalled for" while Nitish found support from the Opposition, including the Congress and partially, from the Rashtriya Janata Dal as well.

Clarifying that the party was against the passage of the Waqf Bill in the current form, the Congress said it was against mixing politics with festivities.

"We do oppose the passing of the Waqf Bill in its present form. But attending or not attending Iftaar is one’s individual call," Congress spokesperson Prem Chandra Mishra said.

Bihar Congress Legislature Party leader Shakil Ahmad Khan also said it should be left to individuals to accept or reject the invitation for Iftaar. "Politics and festivities should not be mixed."

The RJD also extended partial support to the boycott call and said that the decision was better left to individuals. "It is unfortunate that Bihar CM Nitish Kumar and senior JD(U) leader and Union minister Rajiv Ranjan Singh or Lalan Singh supported the Waqf Bill in its present form. Had JD(U) put its foot down, the Opposition’s suggestions would have been incorporated in the Bill. Imarat-e-Shariah and six other organisations have shown their angst with the Iftaar boycott call. But we leave it to individuals," The Indian Express quoted a party leader as saying.

However, despite the boycott call by the Imarat-e-Shariah, several Muslim leaders attended the Iftaar meet hosted by the Chief Minister on Sunday. Among those present included some members of the Imarat-e-Shariah as well.

Founded in 1921 by Maulana Abul Mohasin Mohammed Sajjad, a renowned Islamic scholar, the Imarat-e-Shariah is among the most prominent Islamic organisations in Bihar. It focusses on promoting Islamic jurisprudence and providing guidance on Islamic law (Shariah) to Muslims.

"We are happy that several Muslim leaders attended our Iftaar. The Imarat-e-Shariah’s announcement is uncalled for," JD(U) MLC and chief spokesperson Neeraj Kumar said.

The boycott announcement by the Imarat-e-Shariah was supported by six Muslim organisations. The All India Majlis-e-Ittehadul Muslimeen (AIMIM) also backed the boycott call.

"Since the NDA government did not consider suggestions from Opposition parties and Muslim bodies on Waqf, sarkari Iftaars must be boycotted by all Opposition parties," AIMIM Bihar spokesperson Adil Hasan Azad said.