As Bihar gears up for the upcoming Assembly elections, a fresh political controversy has erupted over a statement by Tejashwi Yadav, the INDIA bloc’s chief ministerial candidate and Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) leader. Addressing election rallies in the Muslim-majority districts of Katihar and Kishanganj, Yadav declared that if his alliance comes to power in Bihar, the recently enacted Waqf (Amendment) Act would be “thrown into the dustbin.” His remarks have drawn sharp reactions from the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and its allies, who have accused him of misleading voters and showing disregard for a central law passed by Parliament.

Yadav’s statement came during a heated campaign phase marked by fierce political rivalry between the National Democratic Alliance (NDA) and the opposition Mahagathbandhan, which includes the RJD, Congress, and other regional parties. In his speech, Tejashwi Yadav accused Chief Minister Nitish Kumar of supporting communal forces and blamed him for allowing the RSS and its affiliates to spread hatred in Bihar. “Nitish Kumar has always supported such forces, and it is because of him that communalism has grown in the state and the country. The BJP should be called ‘Bharat Jalao Party’. If the INDIA bloc comes to power, we will throw the Waqf Act into the dustbin,” he said, as quoted by PTI.

The Waqf (Amendment) Act, which was passed by Parliament in April 2025, has been touted by the BJP-led NDA government as a reformative measure designed to bring transparency, accountability, and inclusivity to the functioning of Waqf Boards across India. The Act aims to empower backward Muslims and women by ensuring better representation in the management of Waqf properties. However, opposition parties and several Muslim organisations have strongly criticised the law, claiming it infringes upon the rights of the Muslim community and undermines the autonomy of Waqf institutions. They have alleged that the central government’s amendments are an attempt to take control of religious endowments and properties traditionally managed by the Muslim community.

Tejashwi Yadav’s comments have therefore been interpreted as an attempt to consolidate Muslim support in eastern Bihar, where minority voters hold considerable electoral influence. By openly challenging the central law, Yadav sought to portray himself as a defender of minority rights and as someone willing to stand up to the BJP’s perceived centralisation of power. He also invoked his father, RJD supremo Lalu Prasad Yadav, saying, “My father never compromised with communal forces. The upcoming election is a fight to protect the Constitution, democracy, and brotherhood.”

The controversy deepened a day earlier when RJD MLC Mohammad Qari Sohaib, a close ally of Tejashwi Yadav, said that if the RJD-Congress alliance comes to power in Bihar, “all bills will be torn apart, including the Waqf bill.” His comments quickly gained traction on social media and were met with outrage from the BJP-led NDA. The ruling party questioned how a state government could nullify or discard a law passed by the Parliament of India, especially one that has already received approval from the Supreme Court. BJP leaders called the statements reckless, politically motivated, and aimed at polarising the electorate.

BJP national spokesperson Syed Shahnawaz Hussain criticised Tejashwi Yadav and the RJD leadership, calling their remarks a reflection of political desperation. “RJD people are from the era of jungle raj. They do not know that the Waqf Amendment Act has been passed by the central Parliament and approved by the Supreme Court. Such statements are being made only to mislead the public. The law has already been implemented across the country. RJD is completely disappointed and frustrated,” he said, as quoted by ANI.

Echoing similar sentiments, BJP MP Manoj Tiwari slammed Tejashwi Yadav for making promises that, according to him, were constitutionally impossible for a state government to fulfil. “These people are already confusing the public. The Waqf Board bill is passed in Parliament, not in the assembly. One should speak according to one’s capacity. You should talk about what is in your capacity,” Tiwari said in Patna, implying that Yadav’s statement was nothing more than an empty political stunt.

Political observers view this exchange as an extension of the ideological battle between the NDA and the INDIA bloc, with the Waqf Act becoming the latest flashpoint. The BJP, which has been emphasising governance, infrastructure development, and law-and-order improvements under the Nitish Kumar administration, is now using Tejashwi’s remarks to remind voters of the RJD’s governance record during the 1990s, a period the BJP often refers to as “jungle raj.” Meanwhile, the RJD and Congress are focusing on issues of unemployment, inflation, and social justice, hoping to galvanise anti-incumbency sentiment against the NDA.

Interestingly, the controversy has also caused discomfort within the opposition alliance. Janshakti Janata Dal chief and Tejashwi’s brother, Tej Pratap Yadav, appeared to distance himself slightly from the statement. Speaking to reporters, he said, “What he (Tejashwi Yadav) will do or not is his choice, but an atmosphere that Muslim brothers are being targeted should not be created.” His remarks indicated a cautious approach, likely intended to avoid alienating moderate voters while still showing solidarity with his brother.

The Waqf (Amendment) Act itself has been one of the most debated legislations in recent months. The NDA government has argued that the amendments were essential to prevent corruption and misuse of Waqf properties, which cover millions of acres across India and are meant to fund charitable and religious activities. Among the key changes, the Act allows for greater oversight by the central government, establishes auditing mechanisms, and introduces stricter penalties for mismanagement. Critics, however, contend that the law erodes the community’s traditional control over Waqf assets and opens the door for bureaucratic interference.

Legal experts have pointed out that a state government has no authority to “scrap” or disregard a central law, as suggested by Yadav’s statement. Under the Constitution of India, laws concerning Waqf and religious endowments fall within the concurrent list, meaning both Parliament and state legislatures can make laws on the subject—but a central law prevails in case of conflict. Therefore, Tejashwi’s promise to “throw the Act into the dustbin” is seen more as a political slogan than a legally actionable proposal. Nonetheless, such rhetoric plays a significant role in mobilising voters and shaping public sentiment in election season.

The 2025 Bihar Assembly elections are set to be a closely contested battle. The Mahagathbandhan has officially announced Tejashwi Yadav as its chief ministerial candidate, with Mukesh Sahani of the Vikassheel Insaan Party (VIP) named as the deputy chief ministerial face. On the other hand, the NDA is banking on its alliance between the BJP and the Janata Dal (United), led by Nitish Kumar, to retain power. Meanwhile, political strategist Prashant Kishor’s Jan Suraaj Party has decided to contest all 243 Assembly seats independently, potentially dividing the opposition vote and adding another layer of complexity to the electoral landscape.

According to the Election Commission’s schedule, polling in Bihar will be conducted in two phases—on November 6 and November 11. Counting of votes and the announcement of results are scheduled for November 14. With less than a fortnight left before the first phase of voting, every statement made by top leaders is being closely scrutinised and amplified across media platforms. Tejashwi Yadav’s controversial remarks on the Waqf Act have, thus, become a central talking point in Bihar’s political discourse, symbolising the larger ideological divide between secular and nationalist narratives.

In the days ahead, the issue is expected to dominate election debates, with the BJP portraying the RJD as regressive and opportunistic, while the opposition accuses the ruling coalition of undermining minority rights and constitutional freedoms. As campaign rhetoric intensifies, Bihar’s voters are once again caught between promises of change and fears of a return to old political patterns. The fate of the Waqf Act, though unlikely to change at the state level, has already achieved one political goal—it has reignited the debate over identity, governance, and secularism in one of India’s most politically sensitive states.