“A decision has been taken not to attend the sarkari (government) Iftaar on March 23. This decision has been taken because of your support for the Waqf Bill which threatens to worsen the economic and educational backwardness of Muslims,” said the letter written by prominent Muslim body Imarat Shariah.
LEFT IN THE LURCH
This is the first time that the Muslims, who constitute around 17 per cent of the population in Bihar, and who have largely favoured Nitish (and not necessarily the BJP), appear to have expressed their deep pain and anguish to Bihar CM over “leaving them in lurch”.
“You rose to power promising a secular Government in which minorities rights were protected. But your alliance with the BJP and your support for a legislation that is unconstitutional and illogical, militates against your stated commitments,” said the Imarat Shariah, which also had the support of All India Muslim Personal Law Board and Jamait Ulema-i-Hind on the vexed issue of Waqf Bill.
IN LETTER & SPIRIT
The prominent religious Muslim body, which so far has always stood by Nitish, termed the Bihar CM’s Iftaar party as ‘tokenism’.
“Your Iftaar party’s motive is to promote goodwill and faith, but trust does not come from parties, but from genuine policies and right directions. The Government’s indifference towards concerns of Muslims renders such formal gatherings as meaningless,” says the letter.
The Janata Dal (United), however, termed the letter as ‘fake’ and said the Opposition RJD was behind such ‘design’.
“It’s all the handiwork of the RJD. The fact is Iftaar party at the Chief Minister’s official residence went on very well and was attended by a large number of Muslims,” said JD (U) MLC Khalid Anwar.
However, the RJD dismissed the JD (U) allegations and termed the ruling party leader’s charge as “completely baseless and unfounded”.
“The decision of seven religious bodies of Muslims to boycott Nitish’s Iftaar party is commendable. On the one hand, Nitish supports the Narendra Modi Government and backs the Waqf Bill. On the other hand, he invites Muslims to Iftaar. This is a classic case of double standards adopted by Nitish,” said RJD spokesperson Ezaz Ahmad.
The RJD cautioned Nitish not to take Muslims’ support for granted. “You cannot alienate such a large section of the community. Or, if you do, then be prepared to suffer at the hustings,” the RJD leader hastened to add.
POLITICAL IMPLICATIONS
Political experts argue that such a stand of Muslims will have much larger implications in the State which will go to polls in October and November this year.
“It is the unwavering support of Muslims (around 17 per cent), backed by Yadavs (13 per cent), which helped Lalu Prasad cultivate a vote bank of much-hyped MY (Muslim-Yadav) and rule in Bihar for 15 years. Since 2005, there has been a tectonic shift in Muslims’ allegiance who backed Nitish and supported him to the hilt. And Nitish too ensured that minorities never faced any discrimination until he was at the helm. However, this is the first time that Muslims have openly expressed their anger towards Nitish on the issue of the Waqf Bill and for having an indifferent approach towards minorities,” opined senior political commentator Ajay Kumar.
The JD (U) is, however, not perturbed. Former minister in Nitish Cabinet Monazir Hasan, who attended Bihar CM’s Iftaar party on Sunday evening, said, “It’s an undisputed fact that Nitish has worked tirelessly for minorities. And despite running his government with the support of the BJP, the minorities have nothing to fear or worry about in the NDA regime.”
