A major Muslim organisation in Bihar, the Imarat Shariah, has declined Chief Minister Nitish Kumar’s invitation for an Iftaar gathering on Sunday.
The group, which has a strong following in Bihar, Jharkhand, and Odisha, cited Kumar’s support for the Waqf Bill as the reason. They claim the bill will worsen the economic and educational conditions of Muslims.
In a letter responding to the invitation, the Imarat Shariah said, “A decision has been taken not to attend the government Iftaar on March 23. This decision is in protest against your support for the Waqf Bill, which threatens to increase the backwardness of Muslims,” quoted PTI.
The organisation accused Kumar of breaking his promise to protect minority rights. “You rose to power promising a secular rule in which minorities’ rights were protected. But your alliance with the BJP and your support for legislation that is unconstitutional and illogical militate against your stated commitments,” the Imarat Shariah alleged.
The Imarat Shariah further criticised the Iftaar event, calling it “tokenism.” It claimed that the government’s indifference to Muslim concerns made such events meaningless.
The JD(U) has traditionally counted on Muslim votes by presenting Kumar as a secular leader. The state elections are scheduled for later this year.
The Janata Dal (United), has not responded to the boycott yet.
The Jamiat Ulema-e-Hind had announced on Friday that it will no longer engage with such individuals as a “symbolic protest.” The organisation also said that it will not take part in their events, including Iftaar and Eid Milan.
The Waqf (Amendment) Bill is set to be presented in the Lok Sabha next week. The proposed changes aim to update the Waqf system. Key provisions include tighter regulations on the registration and oversight of Waqf properties.
One of the most controversial aspects of the bill is the change in ownership rules, which would affect historical mosques, dargahs, and graveyards managed by the board.