Muslim homes, businesses, mosques in Delhi, Hyderabad, Mumbai, Bengaluru, Chennai, Aurangabad, Gulbarga, Calicut, and other cities go pitch dark
NEW DELHI — In a remarkable display of unity and dissent, Muslim communities across the country observed a 15-minute blackout on the night of April 30 to protest against the Waqf Amendment Act. The symbolic protest, called ‘Batti Gul’ (lights off), was organised by the All India Muslim Personal Law Board (AIMPLB) and drew widespread participation from major cities including Delhi, Hyderabad, Mumbai, Bengaluru, Chennai, Aurangabad, Gulbarga, Calicut, and others.
From 9 to 9.15 pm, homes, mosques, offices, shops, and factories in Muslim-majority areas turned off their lights in a silent but powerful message of opposition. Reports from cities across the country indicated near-total compliance in almost all neighbourhoods.
In Mumbai, areas such as Jogeshwari, Andheri, Mira Road, Govandi, Kurla, Millat Nagar, and Malvani witnessed lights being switched off in thousands of homes and businesses. “Approximately 95% of residents in Muslim areas responded to the Board’s appeal. This united stand will one day compel the government to listen, and the Supreme Court to intervene,” AIMPLB member Hafiz Iqbal Chunawala said.
Raza Academy President Muhammad Saeed Noori also confirmed widespread participation in neighbourhoods like Bhendi Bazaar, Madanpura, Mohammad Ali Road, Byculla, Cheeta Camp, Sion, and Wadala. “Imams, scholars, and ordinary citizens came together to make this protest a success,” he said.
In Hyderabad, AIMIM chief Asaduddin Owaisi joined the protest, along with numerous shopkeepers and residents in areas such as Abids and the Old City.
Social media user and activist Syed Abdahu Kashaf posted a video on his X handle.
“Hyderabad stands strong Against #WaqfAmendmentAct . Tonight, we switched off the lights for 15 minutes in strong protest against the unconstitutional Waqf Act amendments. Our voice will not be silenced. This is just the beginning. Watch and witness our unity,” he said.
Visuals of the blackout emerged from other cities as well, including Old Delhi, Parbhani, Beed, Jalna, Malegaon, and towns in Bihar. Social media was flooded with images and videos shared by participants, including independent journalist Irfan Khan, who posted scenes from Hyderabad’s commercial hubs.
In Bhiwandi, neighbourhoods such as Dargah Diwan Shah, Kotwal Shah, Zaitoon Pura, Waja Mohalla, Khando Para, Khadi Par, and Nai Basti reported near-complete participation. Similar scenes were reported in Kalyan, where citizens switched off all non-essential lights, including those in mosques and public spaces.
The AIMPLB has warned that the Waqf Amendment Act could result in the loss of community control over waqf properties, including mosques, dargahs, graveyards, and charitable trusts. Spokesperson Dr SQR Ilyas stated, “This protest is part of a wider campaign involving public meetings, human chains, and civil society discussions at district and national levels.”
As a mark of respect for the victims of the Pahalgam terror attack, the AIMPLB had suspended its campaign from April 23 to April 26. The April 30 blackout marked the resumption of peaceful demonstrations.
The board has reiterated that unless the government reconsiders the amendments, protests will continue in phases across the country.
