According to Ilyas, approximately five crore Muslims had submitted their opinions against the Bill to the Joint Parliamentary Committee (JPC) via email. However, their views were disregarded.
The All India Muslim Personal Law Board (AIMPLB) has strongly opposed the Waqf (Amendment) Bill and demanded its withdrawal. The Board has warned the Central government that if the Bill is passed in Parliament, they will launch a nationwide agitation.
AIMPLB spokesperson Syed Qasim Rasool Ilyas announced that the Board has organized a protest (dharna) at Jantar Mantar, New Delhi, on March 17. Representatives from various Muslim and social organizations, as well as several opposition MPs, have been invited to join the protest.
However, the Board has not invited BJP’s allies like the Telugu Desam Party (TDP) and Janata Dal (United) to the protest.
Ilyas stated, “It is unfortunate that even its allies are supporting the BJP in its communal politics.”
According to Ilyas, approximately five crore Muslims had submitted their opinions against the Bill to the Joint Parliamentary Committee (JPC) via email. However, their views were disregarded.
He said, “If this bill is passed, a nationwide movement will be launched.”
He further added that the Bill is a “direct attack” on the Muslim community. The spokesperson criticized the Bill for being discriminatory, stating that “this bill is discriminatory because it talks about keeping non-Muslim members in Wakf boards and councils, while there is no such provision in the management of endowments of Hindus and Sikhs.”
In a joint statement, AIMPLB General Secretary Maulana Fazlur Rahim Mujaddidi and Syed Qasim Rasool Ilyas mentioned that despite the large opposition from Muslims, the government has not shown any willingness to reconsider its stance.
They said, “Despite five crore Muslims sending emails to the joint committee against the Bill and wide representations by the Muslim Personal Law Board, major national and state-level Muslim organisations and prominent individuals, the government has not only refused to reconsider its stand but has also made the Bill even more ‘rigid and controversial’.”
The AIMPLB had initially planned the protest for March 13. However, due to a possible holiday in Parliament on that day, many MPs could not confirm their attendance. Hence, the Board decided to reschedule the protest to March 17.
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Ilyas also revealed that the Board representatives had met TDP chief Chandrababu Naidu and JD(U) president Nitish Kumar earlier this year, in January and February, seeking their support.
However, “both these parties are currently seen with the government on this issue.”
It is anticipated that the government may introduce the Waqf Amendment Bill during the current session of Parliament (the second phase of the budget session). The Board remains firm on its stand to oppose the Bill and mobilize nationwide support against it if necessary.
