“We’ll Throw This Act Into the Dustbin”: Tejashwi Leads Massive Protest Against Waqf Amendment in Patna

Patna: In a powerful show of opposition, thousands of people converged at Patna’s historic Gandhi Maidan on Sunday to protest the Waqf Amendment Act, demanding its repeal and vowing to fight it legally, politically, and on the streets.

The massive rally was organised under the banner of Imarat-e-Shariah, a prominent Muslim organisation with influence in Bihar, Jharkhand, and Odisha. Several top political leaders — including Leader of Opposition in Bihar Assembly Tejashwi Yadav, CPI(ML) leader Dipankar Bhattacharya, Rajya Sabha MP Imran Pratapgarhi, and Lok Sabha MP Pappu Yadav — joined the gathering. Also present were Congress representatives, who read out messages of solidarity from Rahul Gandhi and Congress national president Mallikarjun Kharge.

Speaking from the stage, Tejashwi Yadav fiercely attacked the Waqf Amendment Act, recalling how his party, the RJD, had opposed it at every step. “When the Amendment Bill regarding Waqf came to Parliament in 2025, we strongly opposed it in both Houses. And not just that, when the JPC (Joint Parliamentary Committee) was formed and after the Bill was passed, our party also went to the Supreme Court against it. Whether in the House, on the streets, or in the courts, we will fight this battle everywhere,” he told the crowd.

In an emotionally charged address, he declared, “Those who are in power now are on their way out… When the government of the poor comes to power, Bihar will throw this Act into the dustbin.”

The protest also highlighted broader anxieties among minority communities, with Tejashwi alleging that the government was plotting to disenfranchise the poor and marginalized groups. He warned about a recent notification from the Election Commission to update an eight-crore-strong voter list within 30 days, calling it a “big conspiracy” to remove voters from Dalit, backward, and minority communities.

“Your land is being taken away, and now they are going to take away your voting rights. Be alert, check your names on the voter list. After this, they will even target pension schemes,” he cautioned.