Resolution passed against Wakf Bill in Tamil Nadu; Will pressure on Nitish-Naidu increase?
#News Bureau, March 27,2025
The Tamil Nadu Assembly on Thursday passed a resolution against the Central Government’s Waqf (Amendment) Bill 2024. Introducing the resolution, Chief Minister M.K. Stalin termed it an attack on the religious and property rights of the Muslim community. The move has not only challenged the BJP-led government at the Centre, but has also put pressure on NDA allies, especially Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar and Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister Chandrababu Naidu. Will the pressure now increase on these two leaders to take similar steps in their respective states?
This resolution of the Tamil Nadu Assembly demands the central government to completely withdraw the Waqf Bill. Stalin said in his address that the bill undermines the autonomy of the Muslim community and violates Article 26 of the Constitution. This article gives religious groups the right to manage their own affairs.
Stalin’s move not only strengthens the pro-minority image of the DMK government in Tamil Nadu, but also sets an example for non-BJP ruled states. The question is whether this will inspire other states to take similar steps, especially those where opposition parties and BJP allies are in power.
BJP’s main allies in the NDA, Nitish Kumar’s JDU and Chandrababu Naidu’s TDP are important for the central government at this time, because the BJP does not have an absolute majority in the Lok Sabha. Both Bihar and Andhra Pradesh have a decent Muslim population. About 17% in Bihar and about 9.5% in Andhra Pradesh. Both these parties have been largely dependent on the Muslim vote bank for a long time, and the secular image of their parties has been a major reason for their political success.
After this move of Tamil Nadu, now Muslim organizations and opposition parties can increase pressure on Nitish and Naidu to also come out openly against the Waqf Bill. The All India Muslim Personal Law Board i.e. AIMPLB has already appealed to both these leaders to oppose this bill.
In Bihar, AIMPLB recently staged a sit-in protest in Patna, in which questions were raised on Nitish Kumar’s silence. Similarly, in Andhra Pradesh too, resentment is growing among the Muslim community over this bill.
This situation is complicated for Nitish Kumar and Chandrababu Naidu. On the one hand, they are part of the NDA and are sharing power with the BJP at the Centre. On the other hand, the Muslim vote bank in their states is a significant part of their political strength. Nitish’s secular face in Bihar has already come under question, especially when Muslim organizations boycotted his Iftar party. Naidu, on the other hand, has made positive statements about the Muslim community in recent times, such as his ‘Hindu and Muslim two eyes’ comment, but the TDP has not yet taken an open stand on this bill.
This situation is complicated for Nitish Kumar and Chandrababu Naidu. On the one hand, they are part of the NDA and are sharing power with the BJP at the Centre. On the other hand, the Muslim vote bank in their states is a significant part of their political strength. Nitish’s secular face in Bihar has already come under question, especially when Muslim organizations boycotted his Iftar party. Naidu, on the other hand, has made positive statements about the Muslim community in recent times, such as his ‘Hindu and Muslim two eyes’ comment, but the TDP has not yet taken an open stand on this bill.
The Waqf Bill is currently under consideration of the Joint Parliamentary Committee (JPC), and its approval in Parliament will largely depend on the stand of the NDA allies. This move by Tamil Nadu is like a test for Nitish and Naidu. If they bring similar proposals in their states, it can become a big challenge for the central government. But if they do not do so, their secular image and Muslim vote bank may be questioned.
The resolution of the Tamil Nadu Assembly is a strong political statement against the Waqf Bill, which will intensify the debate within and outside the NDA. The pressure on Nitish Kumar and Chandrababu Naidu will definitely increase, as they will try to balance between the alliance with the Center and the vote bank of their state. It will be interesting to see whether they follow the path of Tamil Nadu or give priority to their loyalty with the BJP.
