In a major development in Bihar’s political landscape, a new controversy has erupted after the Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) put up a provocative poster targeting Chief Minister Nitish Kumar over his support for the Waqf Amendment Bill 2025. The poster, which is now making rounds on social media, drew public attention by comparing the Janata Dal (United) leader to a chameleon, accusing him of changing political sides too frequently and betraying the sentiments of the Muslim community in Bihar.

The Waqf Amendment Bill 2025, recently passed in both the Rajya Sabha and the Lok Sabha, was supported by the JDU, aligning it with other NDA allies. This stance has caused significant ripples not just among opposition parties but also within the JDU's own ranks. The RJD, using this opportunity, launched a direct attack on Nitish Kumar’s image, mocking his secular credentials and political consistency.

The poster displayed Nitish Kumar wearing a Muslim prayer cap, symbolically highlighting his past participation in Iftaar parties, which the RJD now claims was nothing more than a political show. The message on the poster suggests that while Nitish Kumar hosted Iftaar dinners to appear inclusive, his actual political moves — like supporting the Waqf Bill — go against the Muslim community’s interests.

This fresh wave of criticism intensified when RJD leader Arif Jilani was reported to have put up the poster right opposite the residence of former CM and senior RJD leader Rabri Devi. Alongside this, another digitally altered image of Nitish Kumar dressed as an RSS worker and labelled “Cheatish Kumar” went viral, further stoking the fire of political satire and protest.

The Waqf Amendment Bill 2025, passed by 128 votes in the Rajya Sabha and 288 votes in the Lok Sabha, has been a contentious subject. Critics argue that the bill undermines the autonomy of Waqf Boards and could potentially limit the rights of Muslims over religious and community properties. Nitish Kumar's JDU, despite claiming to be secular, extended full support to the bill, drawing ire from various quarters.

The fallout within JDU became evident when Shah Nawaz Malik, the JDU Minority Pradesh Secretary, tendered his resignation following the party’s decision to support the bill. In his resignation letter, Malik expressed deep disappointment, saying, “Millions of Indian Muslims like us had unwavering faith that you are the flag bearer of a purely secular ideology. But now, this belief has been shattered.”

He also mentioned that the bill’s passage and JDU’s stand have left Muslim activists and community members shocked, suggesting that Nitish Kumar's leadership has deviated from its previously secular outlook.

Responding to the criticism, a senior JDU leader and close aide of Nitish Kumar clarified that the party had no confusion or internal disagreement regarding its support for the bill. According to him, the Waqf Bill 2025 was seen as necessary by the party for maintaining administrative transparency and legal oversight over Waqf properties.

However, this clarification did little to silence the criticism. The RJD’s poster campaign seems to have struck a chord among sections of the public and political observers, as it has not only questioned Nitish Kumar's recent actions but also brought back memories of his frequent political flip-flops — from joining hands with RJD to returning to BJP, and then switching again.

The symbolism of the chameleon, often used in Indian politics to indicate opportunism and inconsistency, paints a damaging picture for Nitish Kumar just months ahead of important state-level electoral contests. The depiction could erode support among voter bases that consider secularism a key issue, especially in constituencies with significant Muslim populations.

This incident is also reflective of the broader political tension in Bihar, where polarisation and identity politics have become increasingly central to election narratives. The use of posters as tools of political propaganda and public shaming has been a longstanding practice in Bihar politics, but the current controversy is particularly intense due to the communal sensitivity of the Waqf-related legislation.

Political analysts believe that the poster attack may set the tone for more aggressive campaigning in the days to come. The RJD, led by Tejashwi Yadav, has often tried to position itself as a protector of minority rights, and this move could be a strategic attempt to consolidate Muslim votes by portraying Nitish Kumar as someone who has abandoned the cause.

Meanwhile, the JDU’s alliance with BJP and its support for Centre-backed legislations continues to draw scrutiny. While it might strengthen their administrative coordination with the NDA, it also risks alienating traditional voter bases that once saw JDU as a secular, centrist alternative in Bihar politics.

In conclusion, this latest controversy around the Waqf Amendment Bill 2025 and the RJD’s poster campaign represents not just a political feud, but also a deeper ideological battle over the soul of Bihar's politics. With elections looming, every move made by key leaders like Nitish Kumar will be scrutinised — both by opponents and the public. Whether the JDU can maintain its ground or faces more dissent and public backlash remains to be seen. What’s certain, however, is that Bihar’s political theatre is once again set for a dramatic showdown, with identity, ideology, and alliances all under the scanner.

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