Several Muslim organisations, including Imarat-e-Shariah and six others, decided not to attend the iftar party over the issue of the current waqf bill. Several leaders have spoken about the boycott. Congress leader Prem Chandra Misra said that the decision to attend an iftar party is individual and must not be mixed with political undertones. He further emphasised that the Congress did not support the waqf bill in its current form but the religion and politics must be seen from separate lenses.
“We do oppose the passing of the Waqf Bill in its present form. But attending or not attending iftar is one’s call.”
The RJD leading the opposition in Bihar spoke on similar lines stating that the waqf bill should not be passed in its current form and the government should add the demands of the opposing parties but the boycott of Imarat-e-Shariah and six other organizations is an individual call and not something that should be imposed.
The All India Majlis-e-Ittehadul Muslimeen(AIMIM) also supported the boycott. Adil Hasan Azad the spokesperson of AIMIN in Bihar said, “Since the NDA government did not consider suggestions from Opposition parties and Muslim bodies on Waqf, Sarkari iftars must be boycotted by all Opposition parties.”
Many individuals from different organizations were present at the CM’s Iftar party, showing that celebrations and political ideologies must stay apart. question of how the funds are been managed. While there has not been any update or answer from the ministry for this charge, it needs to invest in capacity building and strict management to address the drawbacks.