A large number of Muslims in Patna wore black armbands during Jummah prayers on the last Friday of Ramzan to protest against the Waqf (Amendment) Bill.
The black armbands were distributed outside Jama Masjid, near Patna railway station, and Dariyapur mosque before the prayers, following a call by the All India Muslim Personal Law Board (AIMPLB).
The AIMPLB had urged Muslims across the country to express their opposition to the bill by wearing black armbands as a silent and peaceful demonstration of grief and protest.
In a post on X, the AIMPLB stated that it was the duty of every Muslim to strongly oppose the Waqf Amendment Bill.
Muhammad Alam Quasmi, the Imam of Dariyapur mosque, confirmed the protest was carried out in response to AIMPLB’s appeal. He also called upon Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar to oppose the bill, urging his party, JD(U), not to support it in Parliament.
The AIMPLB had recently organised a large demonstration in Patna against the bill, pressing Nitish Kumar to reconsider his party’s position on the matter.
Also read: AIMPLB to launch nationwide protest against Waqf Bill
The protest saw the participation of prominent political figures, including Leader of Opposition Tejashwi Yadav, who was accompanied by his father, RJD president Lalu Prasad Yadav. However, Lalu Prasad did not speak at the event due to health concerns.
Meanwhile, Union Minister Ramdas Athawale reacted to the protests, stating that Muslims should not have worn black armbands. He accused the Congress party of misleading the Muslim community and reiterated that the NDA government, under Prime Minister Narendra Modi, was committed to the welfare of all sections of society.
In a related development, posters were put up outside the official residence of RJD leader and former Bihar Chief Minister Rabri Devi, criticising the BJP’s distribution of ‘Saugat-e-Modi’ kits to Muslims on Eid.
The BJP has been distributing these kits as part of a nationwide outreach initiative aimed at engaging with the Muslim community.
Also Read: Protests over Waqf Bill in Bihar: AIMPLB stages dharna
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