Patna saw demonstrations against the proposed Waqf (Amendment Bill) both inside and outside the Assembly on Wednesday, with political parties including the RJD joining the protest called by the All India India Muslim Personal Law Board (AIMPLB). RJD chief Lalu Prasad and his son, Leader of Opposition Tejashwi Yadav, arrived at the demonstration site near the Assembly, shortly after protests inside the House by the party and its allies, including the CPI(ML), forced its adjournment within minutes of proceedings commencing. Lalu, who participated despite his health issues, told reporters: “Our party has always stood against communal forces and will continue to do so. We will not compromise on our resolve against communal forces at any cost. We are with you in demanding the withdrawal of the Waqf Amendment Bill, and we will continue to oppose it.” Tejashwi said: “The Waqf Amendment Bill brought by the Union government is not lawful in any way. We thank you all for gathering in large numbers to protest against this bill. Our party and leader Lalu Prasad have always stood with you.” He added: “Those in power must realize that the country and its constitutional system are bigger than power. Parties that support this bill for the sake of power are weakening the country's secular fabric.” Another prominent attendee was Jan Suraaj Party founder Prashant Kishor, who has been trying to woo the minority community with the promise of a sizable number of tickets in the Bihar elections. He did not speak at the event. The ‘maha dharna' was attended by leaders from outside the state like Bhim Army founder Chandrashekhar Azad and Indian Union Muslim League MP E T Mohammed Basheer. AIMIM MLA Akhtarul Iman was present as well . Azad, who is an MP from Uttar Pradesh’s Nagina, told reporters that “after attacking the Waqf, the Modi government is now distributing Eid kits among Muslims. It is like offering spectacles after taking one's eyes away”. Basheer, elected to Lok Sabha from Kerala’s Ponnani, wrote on X: “Despite widespread opposition, the govt is pushing it forward. This is a wake-up call for authorities. I assured IUML will always be at the forefront of this fight.”
