Muslim Body Rejects Bihar CM Nitish Kumar’s Iftaar Invite Over Waqf Bill Support
Patna, March 25, 2025 – Imarat Shariah, a prominent Muslim organization with a significant following across Bihar, Jharkhand, and Odisha, has announced its decision to boycott an Iftaar event hosted by Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar. The event, scheduled for Sunday, March 23, 2025, at the Chief Minister’s residence, was declined in protest of Kumar’s alleged support for the controversial Waqf Bill.
In a letter responding to the invitation, the organization expressed its discontent, stating, “A decision has been taken not to attend the government Iftaar on March 23… this decision has been taken in view of your support for the Waqf Bill, which threatens to worsen the economic and educational backwardness of Muslims.” The letter was made public by Imarat Shariah on Tuesday.
The group accused Kumar of betraying his secular promises, pointing to his alliance with the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and his backing of the legislation, which they labeled “unconstitutional and illogical.” The Waqf Bill has been a point of contention, with critics arguing it undermines the autonomy of Muslim institutions and could exacerbate socio-economic challenges faced by the community.
Dismissing the Iftaar as “tokenism,” Imarat Shariah further criticized the state government’s apparent indifference to Muslim concerns, asserting that such events hold little value in light of these policies.
There has been no official response from Chief Minister Nitish Kumar or his party, Janata Dal (United) [JD(U)], which has traditionally relied on Muslim votes by projecting Kumar as a secular leader. The JD(U) currently governs Bihar in coalition with the BJP, both at the state and central levels, ahead of assembly elections slated for later this year.
The development marks a potential setback for Kumar, whose party has long balanced its secular credentials with its political alliance with the BJP, raising questions about its electoral strategy in the Muslim-majority constituencies of Bihar.