India, April 7 -- The Biju Janata Dal (BJD) is facing internal dissent and public protests following its ambiguous stance on the Waqf (Amendment) Bill, 2025 that was passed in Rajya Sabha two days ago with several of its senior leaders holding former chief minister Naveen Patnaik and his then principal advisor VK Pandian for the turmoil.

The Waqf (Amendment) Bill, 2025 seeking to enhance transparency in the management of Waqf properties and inheritance protections for Muslim women was first passed in the Lok Sabha with 288 votes in favour and 232 against while in the Rajya Sabha it sailed through with 128 votes to 95.

The current strength of the Rajya Sabha is 236, with the NDA holding 117 seats, just 2 short of the majority mark of 119...