Thank You, Bihar!
By: M. Burhanuddin Qasmi
Editor: Eastern Crescent, Mumbai
What an unforgettable day of courage, unity, and history we have witnessed today, the 29th of June, 2025, at the iconic Gandhi Maidan, Patna, Bihar. The Waqf Bachao, Dastoor Bachao rally was not merely a gathering—it was a roaring voice of resistance, a living testament to the indomitable spirit of our people. To the best of my knowledge, this rally stands as the largest, most passionate, and most resolute protest ever witnessed in India against the oppressive Waqf Amendment Act 2025.
Full credit and heartfelt appreciation are due to Muhtaram Faisal Rahmani, his tireless team at Imarat-e-Shariah, and the steadfast leadership of the All India Muslim Personal Law Board (AIMPLB), under the capable guidance of Maulana Khalid Saifullah Rahmani (President) and Maulana Fazlur Rahim Mujaddidi (General Secretary). Their sincere dedication, meticulous organisation, and fearless leadership transformed this day into a monumental chapter in our collective history. They truly deserve our loudest applause and deepest respect.
At the same time, we must offer our profound gratitude and boundless admiration to the valiant people of Bihar. You came together as one body, one soul, one voice. You stood tall, you stood firm, and you made the very ground beneath you tremble with your unified cry for justice. You have shown the nation—and the world—that when a people rise with sincerity and solidarity, no oppressive power can silence them.
The Waqf Amendment Act 2025 is not a mere legislative adjustment; it is a calculated assault on the rights, identity, and religious freedom of Muslims in India. These recent amendments do not seek to protect Waqf properties; instead, they pave the way for the systematic transfer of valuable Waqf assets to corporate entities, posing a direct threat to Muslim heritage and presence in the country. This is nothing less than a strategic encroachment upon the Muslim identity in India.
Today, the brave people of Bihar have sent an unshakable message to the corridors of power: We will not bow. We will not surrender. We will not allow injustice to trample upon us in silence.
As Bihar moves towards its assembly elections, this massive demonstration may not immediately diminish the electoral prospects of the BJP in the state, but for Mr. Nitish Kumar, the incumbent Chief Minister, it is a clarion call. He cannot afford to ignore this thunderous voice, nor can he afford to alienate his substantial Muslim support base.
It is never too late to correct a misstep. The Muslims of India earnestly hope that the BJP-led Central Government will open its eyes and its heart, listen to the persistent and resounding voices rising from every corner of the country, abandon the perilous path of hate-driven politics, and immediately revoke the unjust amendments to the Waqf Acts of 1995 and 2013.
Regardless of what the future holds, the people of Bihar—you have already carved your place in history. Your courage echoes across the nation. You have made us all proud. Generations to come will remember the unity, the resolve, and the extraordinary strength you displayed today at the iconic Gandhi Maidan—with full colour and resounding power.
