The AIMPLB has hinted at a nationwide programme that involves mass mobilisation, legal battles, and international outreach
NEW DELHI/HYDERABAD — The All India Muslim Personal Law Board (AIMPLB) has once again opened a front against the Waqf Act, with large-scale protests scheduled to commence in Telangana from Sunday (18 May). The protests are part of a nationwide campaign opposing the Waqf Amendment Act.
Though initial dissent was temporarily halted in the wake of Operation Sindoor, the AIMPLB is now reviving its movement, claiming that the new law is another targeted attack on the Muslim minority community.
The upcoming protests are being organised under the ongoing ‘Waqf Bachao, Dastur Bachao’ (Save Waqf, Save Constitution) campaign. The movement will recommence from Solan in Telangana and is expected to gain momentum in various other regions in the coming days.
“The government is attacking our religious and constitutional rights under the guise of lawmaking,” said Gayas, the Telangana state convenor of the AIMPLB. “From triple talaq to azaan to this amended Waqf Act, the government has been systematically targeting the Muslim community,” he alleged during a press briefing.
He further warned, “Women will also take to the streets with us until this anti-minority law is withdrawn. Our protest is a constitutional right and a democratic duty.”
The Telangana Women’s State Wing of the AIMPLB has taken a central role in coordinating the protests. Rehana, an official of the Women’s Wing, expressed her gratitude to the 232 MPs who voted against the bill.
“We protested at Jantar Mantar, but the Narendra Modi government paid no attention. Still, we are thankful to the 81 members of the US Congress who expressed solidarity with our cause,” she said, underlining the international support the movement has received.
Rehana further stated, “This fight is not only for the protection of Waqf properties, but for the dignity and constitutional rights of Muslims in India.”
The AIMPLB has accused the central government of enacting laws that weaken the autonomy and management of Waqf properties, which have historically been under the control of Muslim religious bodies. The Waqf Amendment Act 2025 has been criticised for centralising powers, allowing greater state interference, and allegedly paving the way for easier acquisition of Waqf land for “developmental purposes”.
Speaking on the issue, Syed Qasim Rasool Ilyas, the spokesperson for AIMPLB, said, “The new law will render Waqf boards powerless. Waqf lands are not government property. They are religious endowments meant for the welfare of the community. We cannot allow this to go unchallenged.”
He continued, “This is not just a legal matter. It is a question of our identity, our institutions, and our place in this republic.”
Amid concerns over potential disturbances — especially in BJP-ruled states — the AIMPLB has redesigned its protest strategy. Rather than organising open rallies or marches, the group now holds symbolic events in enclosed spaces such as halls and stadiums to ensure public safety and avoid confrontation.
One such recent protest involved people switching off their lights for 15 minutes at 9 pm to show silent resistance. “This form of protest is peaceful yet powerful,” said Ilyas. “Without chanting slogans or hitting the streets, people can still express their deep discontent.”
The symbolic blackout was observed in various Muslim neighbourhoods in Delhi, Chennai, Hyderabad, Bengaluru, Lucknow, and Mumbai, among other cities and towns.
Political reactions to the protests have been mixed. Opposition parties have mostly remained silent or non-committal. However, several Muslim leaders and organisations, including local Waqf committees and student bodies, have pledged support to the AIMPLB campaign.
AIMIM leader Asaduddin Owaisi, while addressing a gathering in Hyderabad, criticised the amended law, calling it “an assault on the constitutional rights of minorities”. He stated, “If this law is not repealed, the government will face legal challenges and widespread resistance. We are not going to surrender our religious institutions.”
Meanwhile, social activists have also voiced concerns over the implications of the amended act. Dr Anwarul Haque, a legal expert on minority rights, said, “This law undermines the fundamental principle of autonomy for religious endowments. It risks turning Waqf properties into tools for political manipulation.”
Government sources argue that the reform will help curb corruption and mismanagement in Waqf institutions. However, critics view it as an overreach by the State into community affairs.
As protests resume in Telangana, similar demonstrations are expected to unfold in other states over the coming weeks. The AIMPLB has hinted at a nationwide programme involving mass mobilisation, legal battles, and international outreach.
In concluding remarks, Ilyas said, “Our message is clear: We will not remain silent spectators while our rights are eroded. We urge all democratic-minded citizens to support this peaceful resistance. The slogan ‘Waqf Bachao, Dastur Bachao’ will resonate across the country.”
