BJD walks back opposition to Waqf Bill, allows MPs to ‘exercise conscience’ during Rajya Sabha vote

He posted: “Our Party, having taken these views into careful consideration, has entrusted our Members in the Rajya Sabha with the responsibility of exercising their conscience in the best interest of justice, harmony and the rights of all communities, should the Bill come up for voting. There is no Party Whip.”

The Biju Janata Dal has always upheld the principles of secularism and inclusivity, ensuring the rights of all communities. We deeply respect the diverse sentiments expressed by different sections of the Minority communities regarding the Waqf (Amendment) Bill, 2024. Our Party,…

— ଡ଼ଃ ସସ୍ମିତ ପାତ୍ର I Dr. Sasmit Patra (@sasmitpatra) April 3, 2025

Meanwhile in Rajya Sabha, BJD MP Muzibulla Khan, who spoke on behalf of the party, said he opposed the Bill. “When Modiji won, his slogan was Sabka Saath, Sabka Vikas…. Then why is there a sense of distrust in the minds of Muslims? It’s the responsibility of the government to erase the fear and concerns,” said Khan.

The BJD has seven MPs in Rajya Sabha. Its change in stance comes despite BJD chief and former Odisha CM Naveen Patnaik announcing in September last year that the party would oppose the Bill in Rajya Sabha. Patnaik had also said that there was “a sense of insecurity” among minorities.

While hitting the streets over the proposed amendments to the Waqf Act of 1995 in November last year, the party had alleged that the Muslim community was not consulted prior to the introduction of the new legislation.

The BJD had earlier raised concerns over provisions in the Bill such as inclusion of non-Muslims in Waqf boards and demanded that Waqf properties, which have been surveyed by various survey commissioners and published in the official gazette, should continue to be recognised and protected as such.