Patna: Jitan Ram Manjhi Defends Waqf Law, Accuses Tejashwi Yadav of Politicising Issue and Reviving “Jungle Raj”
Patna News | July 1, 2025 – Union Minister Jitan Ram Manjhi has strongly defended the recently passed Waqf Amendment Act, stating it is not aimed against Muslims, but rather designed to improve transparency and governance of Waqf properties. Speaking to news agencies, he accused Opposition leader Tejashwi Yadav of using the issue for political gain and accused him of reviving “Jungle Raj”, a term associated with state misrule during Tejashwi’s father’s tenure.
🏛️ Waqf Law Is ‘Management’, Not Religion
Manjhi defended the Waqf law as a crucial reform toward better governance of charitable and religious assets meant for public benefit. He told IANS:
“Tejashwi Yadav and other Opposition leaders oppose the Waqf Bill because they believe it targets a particular religion. But this is purely a matter of management… Some people have occupied Waqf properties, preventing the benefits from reaching the poor.” clarionindia.net+15siasat.com+15news.abplive.com+15
He emphasised that had Waqf funds been managed properly, they could have supported universities, hospitals, and educational institutions, benefiting communities rather than being misappropriated.
The minister stressed:
“PM Modi has not made this law for politics. It has been brought in for the welfare of the poor in Bihar and across India.” x.com+1youtube.com+1news.abplive.com+1siasat.com+1
📣 Attacks on Tejashwi Yadav and “Jungle Raj” Allegations
Manjhi accused Tejashwi Yadav of politicising the Waqf Bill to score electoral points. He said the RJD leader:
- Failed to address grave misuse of Waqf properties by his own supporters
- Lacked governance experience and instead relied on street protests
- Was reviving the misgovernance of his father’s era, famously dubbed “Jungle Raj” clarionindia.net+15siasat.com+15news.abplive.com+15en.wikipedia.orgtheshillongtimes.com+3en.wikipedia.org+3newkerala.com+3
He reminded the public that Tejashwi’s father held power for 15 years, but that period was marked by poor administration and law-and-order issues. Now Tejashwi, he asserted, lacks credentials and relies on populist rhetoric.
🔎 Tejashwi’s Rally and Opposition’s Pushback
Opposition leader Tejashwi Yadav took center stage at a rally on June 29 at Gandhi Maidan in Patna, deriding the Waqf law as against the state’s secular and constitutional fabric. He vowed that the Mahagathbandhan government would scrap the law if elected in the upcoming Bihar Assembly polls. ommcomnews.com+4siasat.com+4timesofindia.indiatimes.com+4
Thousands of protestors, primarily from Muslim communities across Bihar, Jharkhand, and Odisha, gathered to express fears that the new law could undermine their rights. newkerala.com+2dailypioneer.com+2socialnews.xyz+2
The BJP countered hard, questioning if the Opposition intended to implement Sharia law in Bihar—a charge promptly dismissed by Tejashwi as part of “vote-bank politics.” timesofindia.indiatimes.com
⚖️ Political Context and Upcoming Elections
The Waqf Act has quickly become a key flashpoint in the run-up to Bihar’s legislative assembly elections. With 243 seats at stake, both the NDA and INDIA bloc are leveraging the issue to sway voters.
- BJP and allies like Jitan Ram Manjhi staunchly support the law, citing misuse of assets and poor management
- RJD and the INDIA alliance oppose it, claiming it undermines minority rights and the secular Constitution siasat.com+1timesofindia.indiatimes.com+1timesofindia.indiatimes.com+12news.abplive.com+12timesofindia.indiatimes.com+12timesofindia.indiatimes.com+1timesofindia.indiatimes.com+1
Some NDA allies face internal pressure—balancing minority outreach while backing the central legislation.
👥 Profile Snapshot: Jitan Ram Manjhi and Tejashwi Yadav
- Jitan Ram Manjhi: Former CM of Bihar, Dalit leader, now Union Minister and a vocal defender of the NDA’s Waqf policy en.wikipedia.org
- Tejashwi Yadav: Leader of the Opposition in Bihar Assembly, RJD leader, vocal critic of the Waqf Amendment Act and son of former CM Lalu Prasad Yadav newkerala.com+6en.wikipedia.org+6siasat.com+6
🔍 Legal and Administrative Implications of the Waqf Amendment Act
The new law aims to:
- Digitise Waqf records
- Strengthen audits and transparency
- Provide legal recourse to reclaim illegally occupied Waqf properties
Supporters argue these reforms will ensure that Waqf assets truly benefit education, healthcare, and community welfare.
Opponents claim the bill threatens religious freedoms and targets a specific community, calling for judicial review.
🏁 Election 2025: A Battle Over Identity and Governance
As the 2025 Bihar Assembly elections approach, the Waqf issue is shaping up as a major politico-cultural battleground:
- BJP & NDA are defending the law as necessary for accountability and restoration of community assets
- INDIA bloc & RJD are framing it as an assault on minority rights and constitutional values
The public discourse around Waqf governance, jungle raj, and secularism will likely influence voter sentiment in the electoral landscape.
📝 Conclusion: A Law Under Scrutiny, a Democracy in Debate
The debate over the Waqf Amendment Act has ignited passionate political arguments. Manjhi’s defence hinges on correcting systemic abuse, while Tejashwi and allies see it as part of a broader majoritarian agenda.
As Bihar prepares to vote, the law’s fate may rest not just in courtrooms, but at the ballot box, where questions of fair governance, religious freedom, and administrative integrity will shape the democratic contest.
