NEW DELHI: Senior JD(U) leader Mohammed Qasim Ansari has resigned from the party and all his posts on Thursday, citing disappointment over JD(U)'s stance on the Waqf Amendment Bill 2024 .
In a strongly worded resignation letter to party leader Nitish Kumar, Ansari expressed deep dismay, stating that the party’s position had shattered the faith of millions of Indian Muslims.
"I am disheartened that I gave several years of my life to the party," his letter read.
Ansari accused JD(U) of betraying its secular principles and criticised JD(U) MP Lalan Singh for the way he supported the bill in the Lok Sabha.
"With due respect, I would like to state that millions of Indian Muslims like me had unwavering faith that you were a true flagbearer of secular ideology. However, that belief has now been shattered," he wrote.
"The stance taken by the JD(U) regarding the Waqf (Amendment) Act 2024 has deeply hurt millions of dedicated Indian Muslims and party workers like us. We are extremely disheartened by the way Shri Lalan Singh presented his statement in the Lok Sabha and supported this bill with such conviction."
Calling the bill an attack on Indian Muslims and a violation of fundamental constitutional rights, Ansari argued that the legislation was also anti-Pasmanda Muslims—something he claimed neither JD(U) nor its leadership acknowledged.
"The Waqf Bill is against Indian Muslims. Under no circumstances can we accept it. This bill violates several fundamental rights enshrined in the Constitution. Through this legislation, Indian Muslims are being humiliated and disgraced. Additionally, this bill is also anti-Pasmanda Muslims—something neither you nor your party seem to realize," he wrote.
Regretting his long association with JD(U), Ansari said, "I deeply regret dedicating several years of my life to this party. I am therefore submitting this letter and resigning voluntarily from the party’s primary membership and all other responsibilities."
Earlier to the tabling of Bill, JD(U) aligned itself with ally BJP on the Waqf Bill, though party MP Sanjay Jha clarified that JD(U) opposed any retrospective implementation of the law. He expressed hope that the government would address this concern.
"Nitish Kumar has been working in Bihar for the last 19 years. During this time, the work he has done for the Muslim community is also visible. Our party had said that it should not be implemented with retrospective effect, and we hope that the government will consider it... As long as Nitish Kumar is in politics, the interests of the people will be protected," Jha had said days before the bill’s passage.
The Lok Sabha passed the Waqf (Amendment) Bill 2025 after an extended and heated debate. While the INDIA bloc opposed the bill, BJP and its allies pushed it through. The session extended past midnight before Speaker Om Birla announced the division vote results.
"Subject to correction, Ayes 288, Noes 232. The majority is in favour of the proposal," Birla declared.
Following the Lok Sabha’s approval, Union minister of minority affairs Kiren Rijiju moved a motion in the Rajya Sabha for consideration of the Waqf (Amendment) Bill 2025 and the Musalmaan Wakf (Repeal) Bill.
In a strongly worded resignation letter to party leader Nitish Kumar, Ansari expressed deep dismay, stating that the party’s position had shattered the faith of millions of Indian Muslims.
"I am disheartened that I gave several years of my life to the party," his letter read.
Ansari accused JD(U) of betraying its secular principles and criticised JD(U) MP Lalan Singh for the way he supported the bill in the Lok Sabha.
"With due respect, I would like to state that millions of Indian Muslims like me had unwavering faith that you were a true flagbearer of secular ideology. However, that belief has now been shattered," he wrote.
"The stance taken by the JD(U) regarding the Waqf (Amendment) Act 2024 has deeply hurt millions of dedicated Indian Muslims and party workers like us. We are extremely disheartened by the way Shri Lalan Singh presented his statement in the Lok Sabha and supported this bill with such conviction."
Calling the bill an attack on Indian Muslims and a violation of fundamental constitutional rights, Ansari argued that the legislation was also anti-Pasmanda Muslims—something he claimed neither JD(U) nor its leadership acknowledged.
"The Waqf Bill is against Indian Muslims. Under no circumstances can we accept it. This bill violates several fundamental rights enshrined in the Constitution. Through this legislation, Indian Muslims are being humiliated and disgraced. Additionally, this bill is also anti-Pasmanda Muslims—something neither you nor your party seem to realize," he wrote.
Regretting his long association with JD(U), Ansari said, "I deeply regret dedicating several years of my life to this party. I am therefore submitting this letter and resigning voluntarily from the party’s primary membership and all other responsibilities."
Earlier to the tabling of Bill, JD(U) aligned itself with ally BJP on the Waqf Bill, though party MP Sanjay Jha clarified that JD(U) opposed any retrospective implementation of the law. He expressed hope that the government would address this concern.
"Nitish Kumar has been working in Bihar for the last 19 years. During this time, the work he has done for the Muslim community is also visible. Our party had said that it should not be implemented with retrospective effect, and we hope that the government will consider it... As long as Nitish Kumar is in politics, the interests of the people will be protected," Jha had said days before the bill’s passage.
The Lok Sabha passed the Waqf (Amendment) Bill 2025 after an extended and heated debate. While the INDIA bloc opposed the bill, BJP and its allies pushed it through. The session extended past midnight before Speaker Om Birla announced the division vote results.
"Subject to correction, Ayes 288, Noes 232. The majority is in favour of the proposal," Birla declared.
Following the Lok Sabha’s approval, Union minister of minority affairs Kiren Rijiju moved a motion in the Rajya Sabha for consideration of the Waqf (Amendment) Bill 2025 and the Musalmaan Wakf (Repeal) Bill.
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