Bihar chief minister Nitish Kumar has assured Muslim organisations that his Janata Dal United (JDU) will not allow any harm to the waqf boards and protect their interests in Parliament in the light of the Waqf (Amendment) Bill 2024, introduced in the Lok Sabha and referred to the Joint Parliamentary Committee (JPC).

A delegation of 35 people representing top Muslim religious organisations, Sunni and Shia waqf boards, and khanqahs met Nitish at his official 1, Aney Marg residence in the state capital on Wednesday. It presented the apprehensions over the bill brought by Prime Minister Narendra Modi-led government at the Centre.

“Nitish Ji told us that he and his party will do everything in the interest of the waqf boards and present its views to the JPC in this regard. He has assured that he will not allow any harm to come to the waqf boards,” Bihar State Sunni Waqf Board chairman Mohammad Irshadullah told The Telegraph.

“We told the chief minister that we have lived in a pluralistic society and the lands belonging to the waqf boards were donated not only by the Muslims but also by the Hindus at many places. There are no records of many of these donations, but the donated lands are now being used for the construction of schools, colleges, multi-purpose halls and other welfare activities. There were amendments in the past, but this time we are apprehensive of the intentions of the government,” Irshadullah added.

The waqf boards in Bihar have over 11,000 acres of land, including around 9,000 acres belonging to the Bihar State Sunni Waqf Board.

The All India Milli Council secretary Aadil Faridi said that the organisation’s vice-president Maulana Anisur Rahman Quasmi was a part of the delegation that met Nitish.

“Nitish Kumar has promised that he will protect the interests of the waqf boards and their auqaf (property),” Faridi added.

The JDU with its 12 Lok Sabha members is a vital part of the National Democratic Alliance (NDA) government at the Centre and is one of the two pillars – the other being the Telugu Desam Party with 16 MPs – propping it up. Its Supaul MP Dileshwar Kamait is a member of the JPC on the Waqf (Amendment) Bill.

Asked about the party’s stand on the bill, Nitish’s political adviser and JDU spokesperson K.C. Tyagi told The Telegraph: “Nitish Ji has assured the delegation of Muslim organisations that he will protect their interests. We will stand by it.”

Sources in the JDU said that the party was not in favour of the Waqf (Amendment) Bill and might not support it in the Lok Sabha if it comes up for vote.

“This is the reason that none of the top leaders of our party have said anything in support of the bill. We are adopting a wait-and-watch policy on the issue till the JPC report comes. Meanwhile, the central government will also have time to reconsider its decision,” a senior JDU leader told this newspaper.