Bihar polls: Rahul-Tejashwi vow to safeguard minority rights, Waqf properties

In a significant outreach to the Muslim community ahead of the Bihar Assembly election, Leader of Opposition in Lok Sabha, Rahul Gandhi and RJD leader Tejashwi Yadav met with prominent Muslim religious leaders at Khanqah Rahmani in Munger on Friday.

The closed-door discussion focused on the prevailing socio-political challenges in India, particularly those affecting minority communities.

Advertisement

Present at the high-level meeting were key figures from major Islamic organisations including Ameer of Imarat Shariah Maulana Ahmad Wali Faisal Rahmani, state president of Jamaat-e-Islami Hind (Bihar) Rizwan Islahi, secretary of Idara-e-Shariah Alhaj Farid, along with senior leaders from Jamiat Ulama, Jamiat Ahl-e-Hadees, Jamia Rahmani, and Tanzeem-e-Imam-o-Khutaba.

A central concern raised during the discussion was the reported deletion of Muslim voters’ names in Bihar under the guise of the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls, which the leaders alleged was being carried out in a discriminatory manner. The gathering also expressed alarm over potential threats to Waqf properties following the implementation of the Waqf Amendment Act, 2025.

Community representatives voiced disappointment that mainstream political parties often overlook the cultural and religious sensitivities of the Muslim population. They called for a stronger, more sustained dialogue between Muslim religious leadership and political organisations to ensure genuine representation and policy attention.

Responding to the concerns, Gandhi reiterated the Congress party’s commitment to uphold the Constitution, protect minority rights, and preserve India’s secular fabric. “We will continue to speak up for the rights of every community, particularly minorities, and ensure that institutions like Waqf remain protected,” he said.

Yadav echoed similar sentiments, affirming that the Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) stands firmly for social justice, equality, and communal harmony. “The RJD will ensure that the fundamental issues and aspirations of the Muslim community are not just heard but acted upon at the highest levels,” he said.

The meeting is being seen as a strategic move by the Opposition leaders to engage with minority groups ahead of upcoming state elections, amid growing concerns over the erosion of constitutional safeguards and religious freedoms.