Major demonstrations on cards in Patna and Vijayawada; opposition parties and minority groups join forces
Team Clarion
NEW DELHI — The All India Muslim Personal Law Board (AIMPLB) is to hold nationwide protests against Waqf Amendment Bill, following a successful demonstration in Delhi on March 17. The board has termed the bill “discriminatory, controversial, and harmful” and vowed to oppose it through constitutional, legal, and democratic means.
Dr Syed Qasim Rasool Ilyas, spokesperson for the AIMPLB and convener of the Action Committee against the Waqf Bill, expressed gratitude to Muslim organisations, civil society groups, and leaders from Dalit, Adivasi, OBC, and other minority communities for their participation in the Delhi protest. “Without the grace of Allah and the solidarity of all these groups, the protest in Delhi could not have been successful,” he said. In a statement on Sunday, Dr Ilyas also thanked opposition parties and MPs for their support against the bill.
The 31-member action committee has outlined a detailed plan for nationwide protests. The first phase will include two major sit-ins:
• March 26: Protest in front of the Bihar Assembly in Patna.
• March 29: Demonstration in front of the Andhra Pradesh Assembly in Vijayawada.
These protests will see the participation of top AIMPLB leaders, religious and social figures, and representatives from Dalit, Adivasi, OBC, and minority communities.
The AIMPLB has actively reached out to opposition parties to bolster its campaign. In Bihar, leaders from the JD-U, RJD, Congress, and Lok Janshakti Party, along with the chief minister, have been invited to join the protest. Similarly, in Andhra Pradesh, the Telugu Desam Party (TDP), YSR Congress, Congress, and Left parties have been urged to participate.
Dr Ilyas emphasised the broader goal of the protests: “The aim is to send a clear message to BJP allies that they should either withdraw their support to the bill or be prepared to lose public support.”
The AIMPLB has prepared a comprehensive plan for the nationwide campaign, which will include protests in key cities such as Hyderabad, Mumbai, Kolkata, Bangalore, Malerkotla (Punjab), and Ranchi. The movement will feature:
• Dharnas and demonstrations
• Human chains
• Social media campaigns (using platforms like X)
• Public conferences, seminars, and discussions
• District-level protests and sit-ins
• Submission of memorandums to the President of India through District Magistrates
Dr Ilyas reiterated the board’s commitment to opposing the bill through peaceful and democratic means. “This is not just a Muslim issue; it is a matter of justice and equality for all marginalised communities. We will continue to fight until this discriminatory bill is withdrawn,” he said.
The nationwide protests are expected to draw significant attention, with the AIMPLB and its allies aiming to build momentum against the bill ahead of further parliamentary discussions.