'Fight to protect minorities': RJD hails SC order halting Waqf Act provisions

The Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) on Friday welcomed the Supreme Court’s decision to put on hold key provisions of the controversial Waqf Act, 2025, and affirmed that its legal battle against the legislation will continue. Speaking to reporters in Patna, RJD Rajya Sabha MP Manoj Jha called the Act an attack on the rights of minorities and the core spirit of the Indian Constitution.

Manoj Jha said, "The Waqf Act attacks the very soul of the Constitution. It is unconstitutional. The RJD will not allow this to happen." Expressing satisfaction over the court’s intervention, he added that their fight was not only to protect the Constitution but also to safeguard the rights of minorities across the country.

The Supreme Court, while hearing a batch of petitions including those filed by AIMIM leader Asaduddin Owaisi and RJD's Manoj Jha, granted the Centre a week's time to file its response. The court also recorded the government's assurance that till the next hearing, no waqf properties will be denotified or have their character changed.

Jha reiterated the RJD’s commitment to the cause, stating, "Our leaders Lalu Prasad Ji and Tejashwi Yadav Ji have made it clear that we won't allow anyone to divide society based on caste, creed, or religion." He expressed hope that the court would consider their arguments seriously in the upcoming hearings and deliver more relief.

He pointed out that several amendments in the new Waqf Act go against the constitutional principles and demanded their immediate rollback. Jha asserted that their legal and political struggle would persist until the legislation is either suitably amended or scrapped altogether.

When questioned about the Mahagathbandhan alliance's leadership for the upcoming Bihar Assembly elections, Jha dismissed any confusion, saying, "The sun rises in the east. Similarly, the leadership question is very clear. There’s no ambiguity." His remarks suggested a strong backing for Tejashwi Yadav without naming him explicitly.