AIMPLB calls on people to hit the streets if the bill is passed in Parliament
Team Clarion
NEW DELHI – The All India Muslim Personal Law Board (AIMPLB) has dubbed the Waqf Amendment Bill as “discriminatory” and “communal.” On Wednesday, the AIMPLB upped the ante in its opposition to the bill’s provisions by urging people to take to the streets until it is withdrawn. AIMPLB leaders also called on people to launch a nationwide protest if the bill receives parliamentary approval.
During a press conference held at the Press Club here, which coincided with the introduction of the bill in parliament, the pan-India Muslim organisation urged opposition MPs not to stage a walkout in protest. Instead, it advocated for opposition lawmakers to participate in the debate, press for a division in both houses of Parliament, and compel National Democratic Alliance (NDA) allies and fence-sitters to take a stance against the legislation.
AIMPLB General Secretary Mohd. Fazlur Rahim Mujaddidi, spokesman Dr SQR Ilyas, and Mohammed Adeeb, a former MP and member of the Muslim board, addressed the press conference.
In a statement, they said, “AIMPLB issues a nationwide call to all citizens to take to the streets and stage democratic protests if the contentious Waqf Amendment Bill is passed in parliament today, and to continue protesting until the bill is withdrawn.”
The AIMPLB argued that the proposed bill undermines fundamental principles of religious freedom, equality, and justice, as enshrined in Articles 14, 25, and 26 of the country’s Constitution.
The AIMPLB cited the following grounds for opposing the bill:
– Erosion of Waqf Board autonomy: The bill compromises the community’s right to manage its own religious and charitable endowments by altering the composition of Waqf Boards and introducing non-Muslim members.
– Disruption of Waqf management: The bill’s changes to decision-making powers and survey procedures empower government entities to seize Waqf properties, threatening their existence.
– Altering substantive Waqf laws: The bill’s amendments to Waqf by user and requirements for practicing Muslims to create waqf are regressive and detrimental to Muslim interests.
The board noted that the Joint Parliamentary Committee (JPC) report failed to address the AIMPLB’s concerns, instead perpetuating the bill’s flaws.
“We urge all secular and non-communal parties, as well as conscientious MPs, to reject this divisive bill and uphold the constitutional principles of equality, justice, and religious freedom,” the AIMPLB leaders said.
Dr Ilyas stated that the government is infringing upon Muslim rights without making similar changes to the Hindu Endowment and Sikh Endowment Acts. He emphasized that the Waqf Act’s provisions also apply to other religious groups’ properties.
“If this bill is passed in parliament, we will launch a nationwide movement against it. We will utilise all available legal and constitutional provisions to stage peaceful agitations until the proposed amendments are withdrawn,” Dr Ilyas said.
