Several Muslim bodies including the All India Muslim Personal Law Board staged a protest at Delhi’s Jantar Mantar against the Waqf (Amendement) Bill on Monday.
The protest was backed by several political parties, including All India Majlis-e-Ittehadul Muslimeen chief Asaduddin Owaisi, who reached Jantar Mantar.
Indian Union Muslim League MP ET Muhammad Basheer said he will also join the protest on the party’s behalf. “The government is trying to loot the Waqf properties. They (JPC on the Waqf Amendment Bill) have not even regarded the Opposition’s views. We oppose it,” he said.
Last week, he AIMPLB announced it will hold the protest to invoke the conscience of “secular” political parties, including those part of the NDA government.
VIDEO | Delhi: Muslim organisations, including All India Muslim Personal Law Board (AIMPLB), hold a protest against the Waqf Bill at Jantar Mantar.#WaqfAmendmentBill
(Full videos available on PTI videos – https://t.co/n147TvrpG7) pic.twitter.com/jTjN33TeUJ
— Press Trust of India (@PTI_News) March 17, 2025
All India Muslim Jamaat Chief Criticises Protest
Maulana Shahabuddin Razvi, National President of the All India Muslim Jamaat, has criticised the protest saying the AIMPLB was formed with the purpose to address issues related to Shariah but has deviated from its path.
“Everyone has the right to protest, but I want to specifically say this regarding the Muslim Personal Law Board when the Muslim Personal Law Board was formed, its purpose was to address issues related to Sharia and eliminate the social evils prevalent in the Muslim community…,” Razvi said.
He has also criticised giving posts to politicians on the board.
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Political Reactions
The Congress said it opposes the bill while the Bharatiya Janata Party has lashed out at the AIMPLB for the protest.
“Congress party opposes this bill. We are working with INDIA alliance partners to deal with this in Parliament,” said Congress MP Manickam Tagore.
Meanwhile, BJP national general secretary Tarun Chugh said, “…Some people are dancing like puppets on the tunes of land mafias. I would like to tell these organisations that instead of showing love for their shops and land mafias in the name of protest, try to think in the interest of the poor and Muslims. These land mafias should take off their glasses …”
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This Is Political Protest: Jagdambika
The Chairman of the Joint Parliamentary Committee that is examining the Waqf (Amendment) Bill, Jagdambika Pal also criticised the protest calling it political.
“The act has not even been introduced yet. We have only submitted our 428-page report… The amendment bill has been brought. They should say anything after the bill is passed,” Pal said.
He questioned on what basis are AIMPLB, Jamiat Ulama-i-Hind, AIMIM or the Opposition leaders gathered at Jantar Mantar.
“The DM is not going to be given the rights… If there would be any dispute surrounding Waqf’s property, then any official above the DM, like the state secretary or commissioner would see to it… The act is being improved,” Pal said.
“They are misguiding the nation… Nobody is going to take away the Waqf lands. If someone is selling away Waqf land, then it is people in the Waqf themselves… The amendment will prohibit the selling of Waqf land and will benefit the poor…,” he added.
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