The blackout protest sent a clear message to the Union government that the entire Muslim community was against the new law, says AIMPLB spokesman Dr Qasim Rasool Ilyas
NEW DELHI — The countrywide response to the “Batti Gul” (Lights Off) protest against the Waqf Act was overwhelmingly positive, the All India Muslim Personal Law Board (AIMPLB) has asserted.
The huge success of the symbolic 15-minute blackout protest on Wednesday was a clear indication that the Muslim community opposes the Waqf statute in its entirety, the board said in a statement on Thursday.
AIMPLB spokesman Dr Qasim Rasool Ilyas said reports received from across the country clearly show that the board’s call received widespread support.
“We are receiving highly encouraging reports from across the country. Not only did homes, shops, factories, markets, and business centres in Muslim neighbourhoods observe a complete blackout for 15 minutes from 9 to 9.15 pm on April 30, but many people from other faiths also participated and showed exceptional solidarity with the Muslim community. Even mosques turned off their lights at the time of Isha (night) prayer,” he said.
He expressed his satisfaction that all Muslims — Shia, Sunni, Deobandi and Barelvi and others — wholeheartedly participated in the programme. “Some people, who initially objected to this symbolic protest, also joined in for the greater cause of unity, truly reflecting the spirit of ‘Stay connected to your roots, and stay hopeful for better days,’” he said.
Dr Iyas said that the blackout protest sent a clear message to the Union government that the entire Muslim community was against the new law.
“This blackout protest has sent a clear message to the central government. It should now be clear to the government that the people it was relying on — those working against community interests — do not truly represent the community. Let the government admit its mistake, withdraw the unjust and divisive amendments in the Waqf Act, that go against the fundamental rights and spirit of the Constitution, and act like a responsible government.”
He expressed his gratitude to all the participants. “On behalf of the Muslim Personal Law Board, I sincerely thank the entire Indian Muslim community, other minority communities, civil society organisations, Dalit, Adivasi, and OBC communities. Your hard work, energy, and commitment made this programme a great success, and we can already see its positive outcomes. I am confident that you will continue to support the board in the future and won’t rest until these unlawful amendments to the Waqf law are taken back,” he concluded.
