In the heated lead-up to the Bihar Assembly elections 2025, political tensions have soared following a controversial remark by RJD leader Tejashwi Yadav regarding the recently passed Waqf (Amendment) Act, 2025. While addressing a public rally titled "Save Waqf, Save Constitution" at Gandhi Maidan in Patna, Tejashwi declared that if the Mahagathbandhan (Grand Alliance) comes to power, it will “throw the Waqf Act into the dustbin,” referring to the legislation introduced by the BJP-led Central Government.

This blunt statement triggered a strong backlash from the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), which accused Tejashwi of disrespecting Parliament, undermining democratic institutions, and showing disregard for the Constitution. Senior BJP leader and Rajya Sabha MP Sudhanshu Trivedi lambasted the RJD leader during a press conference, stating, “Tejashwi’s words reflect the Emergency-era mindset that believes in tossing constitutional laws into the bin.”

The Waqf (Amendment) Bill, 2025, which was passed earlier this year and received Presidential assent, is part of the Central Government’s agenda to reform the management of Waqf properties. Key changes include greater government oversight, redefined formation protocols for waqf, enhanced survey mechanisms, improved registration, and the inclusion of non-Muslims and women in waqf-related bodies. The government claims these reforms are intended to modernise waqf governance, reduce mismanagement, and ensure that the income from waqf assets reaches marginalised sections, particularly poor Muslims, women, and widows.

Despite these stated intentions, Tejashwi Yadav’s vocal opposition to the Act has drawn both criticism and support. During his rally, Tejashwi painted the Act as a tool for central interference in minority affairs, accusing the NDA of attempting to centralise control over religious assets. His remarks were part of a broader campaign where he vowed to restore constitutional sanctity and uphold minority rights if the opposition comes to power in Bihar.

Reacting sharply, Bihar Deputy Chief Minister Samrat Choudhary went on the offensive, stating, “Criminality, hooliganism, and tearing laws is Lalu Ji’s family culture.” His remarks were a direct attack on the legacy of RJD supremo Lalu Prasad Yadav, aiming to frame Tejashwi as inheriting a political culture of lawlessness and disorder.

Another BJP voice, Bihar Minister Mangal Pandey, questioned, “Who has the audacity to discard a law passed by the Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha? This shows a mentality that doesn’t accept the Constitution of Dr. B.R. Ambedkar.” He described the statement as an attack on Indian democracy itself, warning that such rhetoric cannot be tolerated in a constitutional republic.

Meanwhile, Bihar Minister Prem Kumar defended the Waqf Bill, stressing that it would end elite control of waqf boards and democratise benefits for the needy. He described the amendment as a pro-poor reform that aims to curb institutional capture by select groups and redirect benefits to the underprivileged.

While the BJP turned the heat on Tejashwi, Congress leader Pawan Khera came to his defence. He explained that laws passed by Parliament can indeed be amended or repealed through constitutional mechanisms. “If Sudhanshu Trivedi doesn’t understand this basic tenet of democracy, what is he even doing in Parliament?” Khera said. He further accused the BJP of being hypocritical, often claiming democratic superiority while suppressing dissent and branding opposition as anti-national.

The entire episode has added fuel to the fire in an already charged political climate in Bihar. The state, which has long been a crucible of coalition politics, caste-based mobilisations, and deep ideological rifts, is once again witnessing a battle of narratives and legal interpretations. The BJP is aggressively pushing its national security and reform agenda, while the Mahagathbandhan is focusing on minority rights, federalism, and opposing authoritarian tendencies.

Tejashwi’s promise to "throw the Waqf Act into the dustbin" may be interpreted symbolically by some as an attempt to assert regional autonomy, but it also risks being seen as disrespectful of democratic institutions and legislative protocols. Sudhanshu Trivedi, in his attack, reminded the public that this kind of language reflects the legacy of Emergency, accusing the opposition of wanting to undermine Parliament and suppress democratic norms.

The Waqf Board system in India has long been under scrutiny for mismanagement, lack of transparency, and allegations of corruption. While reforms have been long overdue, the debate over how they are implemented and who controls them remains politically sensitive. The government argues that the 2025 Amendment will usher in transparency and efficiency, but critics see it as another move to centralise religious governance and erode minority autonomy.

Adding a deeper political layer, this controversy comes at a time when Prime Minister Narendra Modi has launched a massive campaign across all nine divisions of Bihar, aiming to reassert NDA dominance. The BJP is clearly positioning itself as a protector of national integrity and rule of law, while portraying the Mahagathbandhan as chaotic, anti-national, and divisive.

The opposition, however, is trying to portray the Waqf Act as part of a broader BJP agenda to sideline minority voices and control community-specific institutions. Tejashwi’s rally at Gandhi Maidan is not just a protest against the Waqf Amendment but a strategic mobilisation effort aimed at consolidating Muslim and secular votes under the Mahagathbandhan umbrella.

Whether this rhetoric will pay off or backfire remains to be seen. As Bihar heads into elections, the Waqf Act debate has become a microcosm of the larger ideological battle in Indian politics—between centralisation vs federalism, reform vs representation, and constitutional democracy vs populist rhetoric.

In conclusion, Tejashwi Yadav’s fiery statement against the Waqf Act, while energising his base, has drawn sharp criticism from the BJP and opened a new fault line in Bihar’s political discourse. With the assembly elections just months away, every word, law, and public promise is set to become a rallying cry or a flashpoint in this intensely contested battle for Bihar’s future.

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