Several areas in Delhi and other parts of the country plunge into 15-minute darkness as the Muslim community showed unity against the Waqf Act
NEW DELHI — Shaheen Bagh, the iconic Muslim neighbourhood in the national capital and an epicentre of the protests against the Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA), again led the way in the symbolic ‘Batti Gul’ campaign against the Waqf Act.
The area, like all Muslim-majority localities in Delhi and across the country, plunged into darkness on Wednesday night (April 30) as part of the protest against the recently amended Waqf Act. The ‘Batti Gul’ campaign, initiated by the All India Muslim Personal Law Board (AIMPLB), saw residents switch off lights in their homes, shops, and businesses for 15 minutes, sending a clear message of defiance against the government’s stance on the controversial law.
Besides Delhi, the symbolic blackout swept across cities including Lucknow, Hyderabad, Kolkata, Patna, Ahmedabad, Mumbai, Bhopal, Bengaluru, and the small town of Bhatkal in Karnataka, sending a resounding message to the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP)-led government.
The protest was a direct response to the Waqf Act, which critics, particularly Muslims, condemn as an unconstitutional assault on their religious and fundamental rights.
The Act has drawn strong reactions from various sections of the Muslim community, who argue that it infringes upon their constitutional rights and dilutes the autonomy of the Waqf institutions.
“This law is a black stain on our Constitution,” said Asaduddin Owaisi, MP and president of the All India Majlis Ittehadul Muslimeen (AIMIM), who switched off the lights at his Hyderabad residence and AIMIM headquarters in Darussalam. “I appeal to all Indians to reject this Act, which violates Articles 14, 15, 25, and 26, guaranteeing equality and religious freedom. We’re sending a clear message to PM Modi: this is an attack on our rights, and we won’t stay silent.” Owaisi’s video of the blackout, shared widely on social media, showed darkened streets in Hyderabad, a testament to the protest’s scale.
In the national capital, Dr Faizan Shahid, a resident of Shaheen Bagh, explained the motivation behind the protest: “This campaign is not just against the Waqf Act; it is a stand against any law that violates the rights of Muslims and contradicts the Constitution of India. We want to make it clear to the government that this law is unjust, and we demand its withdrawal. The case against this law is currently in the Supreme Court, and we respect whatever verdict the court delivers, but our protest will continue until the government listens to our concerns.”
Abdul Latif, another resident and a social worker, emphasised the peaceful nature of the protest. “On the request of AIMPLB, we switched off lights in Shaheen Bagh and all other Muslim-majority areas, including Jamia Nagar, for 15 minutes,” he said. “This protest is not just limited to Shaheen Bagh; it’s spreading across the country. The Waqf law is an attack on our religious rights, and we will continue to protest peacefully until it is repealed.”
Latif further highlighted that the protest was not an isolated event but part of a larger struggle for religious freedoms. “The BJP government is trying to control the Waqf Board and suppress our religious rights. But we will continue to resist peacefully. This is not just about the Waqf law; it’s about our rights as Indian citizens.”
The protests against the Waqf Amendment Act come at a time when the government has remained largely silent about the criticisms raised by Muslim organisations. The law, which seeks to give the central government greater control over the administration of Waqf properties, has been met with vehement opposition from various Muslim leaders, who argue that it undermines the religious autonomy guaranteed under the Indian Constitution.
“The Waqf Amendment Act is an attempt to interfere with the functioning of the Waqf Board and diminish the authority of Muslim institutions,” said Dr Shahid. “The law is unconstitutional and discriminatory. The government must withdraw it immediately.”
In addition to the ‘Batti Gul’ protest, legal challenges to the Waqf Amendment Act are already underway, with petitions pending in the Supreme Court. Muslim leaders have expressed hope that the judiciary will uphold the constitutional rights of Muslims, but they have also warned that their protests will continue until the government takes meaningful action to address their concerns.
The ‘Batti Gul’ protest is just one example of the growing resistance against the Waqf Act. Across the country, Muslim communities are coming together to challenge what they perceive as an infringement on their religious freedoms. From peaceful protests to legal battles, the movement to protect the rights of the Muslim community is gaining momentum.
Abdul Latif concluded, “This protest is not just about the Waqf law; it is about the future of our religious institutions and our ability to practice our faith without interference from the government. We will continue to raise our voices until our rights are respected.”
In Lucknow, Maulana Khalid Rasheed Firangi Mahali, Imam of the Eidgah, led the protest, urging residents to join the lights-off movement. “People in Lucknow have shown their anger peacefully,” he said. “This Act threatens our religious institutions. We will continue protesting in every city until this bill is scrapped.” Visuals from Lucknow’s Akbari Gate showed entire neighbourhoods plunged into darkness, with residents offering prayers during the blackout.
The protest’s success was particularly evident in Mumbai, where Muslim-majority areas like Nagpada, Madanpura, Bhendi Bazar, Bandra, Andheri, Jogeshwari, Nala Sopara, Mira Road, Thane, Mumbra, and Bhiwandi saw near-total participation. Young Muslims took to the streets, urging shopkeepers and households to switch off lights.
Abu Azmi, Samajwadi Party MLA, shared images of darkened streets in Colaba, calling the protest “a historic stand against injustice.” He added, “Waqf properties are our collective trust. The BJP’s law is a direct attack on our faith and identity.”
In Bhatkal, Karnataka, the protest was a striking display of community unity. Lights went off across Sultan Street, Jamia Street, Khalifa Street, and other Muslim areas, with shops closing and residents offering special prayers. Abdul Raqib MJ Nadvi, General Secretary of Majlis Islah and Tanzeem, praised the response: “Our people showed the government that we reject this anti-Islamic law. Bhatkal stands with the AIMPLB, and we’ll support every peaceful protest.” The Bhatkal Muslim Youth Federation echoed this, vowing to back future movements.
Aurangabad, Maharashtra, also saw widespread participation, with areas like Buddy Lane, Younis Colony, Shah Bazar, and Baiji Pura joining the blackout. Ilyas Falahi of Jamaat-e-Islami described the protest as “a massive success.” He said, “The BJP is trying to push Muslims into darkness with this law, but we’ve shown our strength by choosing darkness ourselves for 15 minutes. This is just the start.”
As the protests continue to spread across the country, it remains to be seen how the government will respond. For now, the streets all over the country remain illuminated by the collective resolve of a community determined to protect its rights and its faith. — (With inputs from Abdullah Salam)
