Kiren Rijiju Hits Out at Tejashwi Yadav Over Waqf Act Remarks, Says ‘He Lacks Constitutional Knowledge’
Union Parliamentary Affairs Minister Kiren Rijiju on Monday strongly criticized RJD leader Tejashwi Yadav for his recent remarks on the Waqf Amendment Act, calling them “immature and constitutionally incorrect.”
Rijiju accused the Bihar opposition leader of trying to appease the Muslim community ahead of the upcoming Bihar Assembly elections, claiming that Yadav’s statement reflects both a lack of understanding of constitutional law and desperation for political mileage.
Tejashwi’s Remark Sparks Controversy
Earlier this week, Tejashwi Yadav — the Mahagathbandhan’s Chief Ministerial face — told reporters that if his government comes to power in Bihar, he would scrap the Waqf Act.
“When I become the CM, Tejashwi will throw the Waqf Board law bill into the dustbin. When I become the CM, every Bihari will become CM — meaning ‘Chinta Mukt’ (free from worries). Bihar today lacks good colleges, education is poor, poverty is high, and migration continues. My only dream is to make Bihar number one,” Yadav said, attacking the ruling NDA for what he called two decades of stagnation.
The statement immediately triggered sharp political reactions across party lines, especially from the BJP, which accused Yadav of making constitutionally impossible promises for vote-bank politics.
Rijiju: “State Government Cannot Overturn Parliamentary Law”
Reacting to Yadav’s comments, Kiren Rijiju, who also holds the Minority Affairs portfolio, said that the RJD leader lacks basic constitutional awareness.
“It’s surprising that Tejashwi Yadav claims to be the Chief Minister and doesn’t know that a state government cannot overturn any law passed by Parliament. He does not know the Constitution. How can he talk like this?” Rijiju told IANS.
He added that people across the country, including in Bihar, are closely observing such remarks.
“The people of Bihar and the entire country are watching, laughing that a person who calls himself a Chief Minister candidate doesn’t even know that he will throw a Parliamentary Act into the dustbin if he becomes Chief Minister,” he said.
“Desperate for Power and Playing to the Gallery”
The Union Minister went on to describe Yadav’s remarks as a sign of desperation ahead of elections.
“First, I think Tejashwi is not mature and lacks knowledge. Second, he is so desperate for power that he will say anything. To gain Muslim votes, will he say he will throw the Waqf Act into the dustbin? How can he say such a thing?” Rijiju said.
Rijiju also clarified that no state government has the power to deny implementation of a law passed by Parliament, reaffirming that Parliamentary Acts are binding across the country.
“Any law passed by Parliament applies to the entire country, and no one can remove the power granted by the Constitution,” he stated.
Rijiju Targets “Dynastic Politics” and Opposition Parties
Taking aim at opposition parties, Rijiju said that leaders from political dynasties like Tejashwi Yadav and Rahul Gandhi often act as if they are above the law and democratic institutions.
“Can Tejashwi Yadav and Rahul Gandhi explain that if they don’t obey laws passed by Parliament, if they don’t respect Supreme Court rulings, then do they not obey Parliament or Indian democracy? The children of these few families consider themselves above the law, above the Constitution, above Parliament. But the country and the people are watching,” he said.
Rijiju accused the Congress and RJD of engaging in decades-long appeasement politics, saying that such tactics have misled and divided communities for electoral gain.
“Appeasement Politics Has Misled Muslims”
The Minister said that both Congress and RJD have built their politics on Muslim appeasement, but added that the community has now started to see through such tactics.
“For decades, Congress and RJD have ruled by deceiving and misleading Muslims. Now Muslims have understood this. But a large section is still being controlled by some people who are trying to create a vote bank by misleading them and using the BJP as a pretext,” Rijiju said.
He added that under Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s leadership, India’s development model includes all sections of society, including minorities.
“Gradually, Muslims will also understand that the country will progress only because of PM Modi. Under PM Modi’s leadership, not just Muslims but everyone, whether minority or majority, will be safe in India. Everyone knows this, and Muslims have also come to understand this to a large extent,” he said.
Waqf Amendment Act: The Context
The Waqf Amendment Act, which governs the administration of waqf properties (charitable endowments under Islamic law), has been a topic of political debate in several states. The recent amendments introduced in 2024 aimed to bring greater transparency and accountability to the management of waqf lands.
However, opposition leaders, including Tejashwi Yadav, have alleged that the amendments undermine the autonomy of state waqf boards — a claim dismissed by the Centre as politically motivated.
The war of words between Kiren Rijiju and Tejashwi Yadav reflects the growing political polarization in Bihar as the state gears up for elections. While Yadav’s comments have reignited debates over religious and constitutional issues, Rijiju’s response underscores the BJP’s emphasis on national law and governance consistency.
As both sides escalate their rhetoric, the Waqf Act controversy has become another flashpoint in Bihar’s charged political climate, blending religion, law, and electoral strategy in the run-up to one of India’s most closely watched state polls.