BJP allies — Telugu Desam Party, Janata Dal-United and the Lok Janshakti Party — warned against extending support to the ‘unconstitutional’ bill
Waquar Hasan | Clarion India
NEW DELHI — Leaders of several Opposition parties including Congress, All India Majlis-e Ittihadul Muslimeen (AIMIM), Trinamool Congress, Samajwadi Party, Indian Union Muslim League, and Left parties joined a massive protest — under the aegis of All India Muslim Personal Law Board (AIMPLB) — against the Waqf Amendment Bill at the iconic Jantar Mantar in the national capital on Monday.
The protest rally under the title ‘We Reject Waqf Amendment Bill, 2024’ was addressed by prominent Muslim leaders and members of the parliament including AIMIM supremo Asaduddin Owaisi, Mahua Moitra (Trinamool Congress), Tarun Gogoi and Imran Masood (Congress), Mahmood Madani (Jamiat Ulema-i-Hind), Khalid Saifullah Rahmani (Islami Fiqh Academy), Syed Saadatullah Hussaini (Jamaat-e-Islami Hind) and others. Besides members of the Sikh community, trade unionists also spoke at the protest venue.
Addressing the gathering, Owaisi said that the amendment bill is aimed at disempowering Muslims, targeting them, their political and religious identities. “If the bill is passed, the government can take over any Waqf property,” he said.
“Their motive is to snatch away the political and religious identity of Muslims in India. Main motto of Modi government is to take over Mosques, Dargahs and graveyards through this bill,” Owaisi added.
The Hyderabad MP warned the Telugu Desam Party (TDP), Janata Dal-United (JDU) and the Lok Janshakti Party (LJP) – allies of the BJP – against extending support to the “unconstitutional” bill. Else, he said, Muslims will never forgive them.
Questioning the several sections of the Waqf bill, AIMIM chief stated that if others cannot be part of a temple, other Hindu religious properties and properties of the Sikhs, how could non-Muslims be allowed to be part of the Waqf properties?
“If Narendra Modi wants to disturb the peace of the country and add to the disputes between mosque and temple, his government will be responsible for the consequences,” he said.
Jamiat Ulama-i-Hind chief Maulana Mahmood Madani said that the Waqf is not only an issue of Muslims but also an attack on the constitution. “It violates the foundational values of the constitution,” he said.
“Our houses are being bulldozed. Now, bulldozer is being run on the constitution through the Waqf bill. We will oppose it at any cost,” said Madani
Maulana Madani asserted that this is just the beginning of the struggle, emphasising that it cannot be fought by Muslims alone and calling for support from other communities as well
The protest rally was addressed by leaders of different sections and communities including Sikh Personal Law Board leader Prof. Jagmohan Singh, trade union leader Hannan Mulla, Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU) Students’ Union leader Dhananjay, and CPI-ML chief Dipankar Bhattacharya.
Sikh Personal Law Board convener Prof Singh vowed to support Muslims in their fight against the Waqf Amendment Bill.
“I have come here to assure you that you are not alone in this fight. We will wholeheartedly support you,” he said.
Meanwhile, Trinamool MP Mahua Moitra said that the government wants to disenfranchise Muslims by bringing in the Waqf Amendment Bill.
“If the bill is passed, no Waqf properties will remain endowed. Any DM can change the title of a Waqf property. This is nothing but a ploy to take over the land of Muslims. It should be fought tooth and nail,” said Moitra.
Questioning the sections related to the inclusion of non-Muslims in the Waqf properties, the TMC MP asked whether Muslims can be included in the trust of the Ram temple in Ayodhya.
Congress MP Imran Masood said “From the Constitution to the streets, we will fight and resist. We strongly opposed this bill in the JPC (Joint Parliamentary Committee), and our struggle will only continue.”
Jamaat-e-Islami Hind chief Hussaini said the Waqf bill is a conspiracy to deprive Muslims of their constitutional rights.
“People are being fooled that the bill is aimed to better the administration of the Waqf properties, which is not true. The bill is being brought in to end, weaken and forcibly take over the Waqf properties,” he said.
CPI-ML chief Dipanakar Bhattacharya and trade union leader Hannan Mulla said this is a battle for the land. Farmers, who are also fighting for their land, should also join this protest.
The gathering was also addressed by Samajwadi Party leader Dharmendra Pradhan, party MP Awadesh Prasad, TMC MP Kalyan Banerjee, Indian Union Muslim League MP ET Basheer and others.
Originally scheduled for March 13, the protest was postponed due to Holi. AIMPLB spokesperson Dr Syed Qasim Rasool Ilyas, stated that the bill amounted to discrimination against the community.
AIMPLB General Secretary Fazlur Rahim Mujaddidi stated that the board had engaged with the government through democratic channels but had not been heard. He argued that the amendment would create unrest, particularly concerning mosques and cemeteries, and described it as detrimental to the country’s development.
“The Waqf Amendment Bill is a conspiracy to spread anarchy in the name of law and to destroy and occupy Waqf property in the name of protection and transparency of Waqf. That is why we demand from the government that it should stop its action and withdraw the bill,” he said.
AIMPLB Vice President, Ubaidullah Azmi, emphasised the importance of protecting religious affairs as guaranteed by the Indian Constitution. He stated, “Just as prayer and fasting are important for us, protecting Waqf properties is equally crucial. The government should have acted against those encroaching upon Waqf land, but instead, it has introduced a law that enables the government to take control of Waqf properties.”
Azmi further criticised the government’s actions, saying, “India was not accepted based on subordination but on loyalty. This land does not belong to anyone’s ancestors. We have sacrificed for this land, and we will continue to do so.” He warned that if the bill is not repealed, Muslims, under the leadership of the AIMPLB, would be ready to make any sacrifice the nation asks for.
