Jan Suraaj founder Prashant Kishor has raised concerns over the Waqf Amendment Bill, stating, “I don’t see this as being against Muslims or Hindus. I look at it from the perspective that, if you set aside the merit of the bill, when this country came into existence, when it became independent, the commitments made by the founding fathers and the assurances they gave to different people mattered.” Kishor, who is also a political strategist, made these remarks ahead of the Lok Sabha taking up the bill on Wednesday.
Need for Transparency and Consultation
Kishor said, “If you deviate from those commitments and assurances given to various sections of society after independence, then it becomes the responsibility of the current generation to remain truthful to them. If any changes are being made that impact any section of society, those sections should be taken into confidence before implementing such laws.”
Muslim Community’s Fear
Kishor further added, “A large section of Muslims feels threatened by the Waqf Bill.” He added, “I believe the government is hastily pushing this law for the politics of polarization. How much they actually care about Waqf land, I do not know.”
Government’s Dependence on Nitish Kumar
He highlighted, “Another important aspect is that the government does not have a majority in the Lok Sabha. They are able to introduce this law only because leaders like Nitish Kumar are supporting them. If leaders like Nitish Kumar did not vote in favor of this bill in the Lok Sabha, the government would never be able to pass it into law.”
Accountability of Nitish Kumar
Kishor further asked “The BJP does not consider Muslims part of their vote bank, nor do they see them as their people. However, leaders like Nitish Kumar, who claim to be the well-wishers of the Muslim community, should reflect on whether they are displaying hypocrisy by supporting this bill while also invoking the ideals of Gandhi, Lohia, and JP.” He concluded, “When history records this era, the blame for this law will fall more on leaders like Nitish Kumar than on the BJP.”
