AIMPLB and Asaduddin Owaisi lead a massive protest against the Waqf Bill, claiming it threatens Muslim property rights. Owaisi warns NDA allies that the government’s agenda fuels communal tensions over mandir-masjid disputes.
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NEW DELHI: The All India Muslim Personal Law Board (AIMPLB) on Monday led a massive protest at Jantar Mantar against the Waqf (Amendment) Bill, voicing concerns that the proposed legislation threatens Muslim religious endowments and institutions.
The demonstration, joined by several opposition leaders and Muslim organisations, saw passionate speeches and warnings directed toward the National Democratic Alliance (NDA) allies, particularly TDP, JD(U), and LJP (Ramvilas), urging them not to back the Bill in Parliament.
Addressing the protest, AIMIM chief Asaduddin Owaisi accused the Modi government of using the Bill to create social discord.
“The prime minister’s intention is that people keep fighting over mandir-masjid. Safeguarding Waqf properties is not the Bill’s objective,”
Owaisi alleged.
Owaisi cautioned leaders of the NDA’s coalition partners, saying:
“We are warning Chandrababu Naidu, Chirag Paswan, and Nitish Kumar — if you support this Bill at this critical juncture, Muslims will never forgive you. The Bill will only pass with your help.”
He further criticized the inclusion of non-Muslims in Waqf councils and boards, calling it discriminatory since other religious communities are allowed to manage their own endowments independently.
The AIMPLB and allied groups argue that the proposed amendments would “pave the way for the usurping of Waqf properties”, describing it as a “direct attack” on the Muslim community.
SQR Ilyas, AIMPLB spokesperson, said after reviewing the Bill, the Board concluded that its provisions were unconstitutional and risked undermining the autonomy of Waqf institutions.
Syed Sadatullah Husaini, president of Jamaat-e-Islami Hind and vice-president of AIMPLB, stated:
“Waqf grants Muslims the same rights that other religions enjoy over their institutions. If every faith can manage its own affairs, why are Muslims being singled out?”
Several opposition leaders joined the demonstration, including Congress’s Syed Naseer Hussain, former Minority Affairs Minister Salman Khurshid, and Samajwadi Party’s Awadhesh Prasad.
Khurshid argued that the Bill lacked constitutional validity, while Shia cleric Kalbe Jawad claimed its “sole intention” was to grab Waqf lands and properties.
The protest, initially planned for March 13, was postponed due to the Holi holidays.
The protest coincided with the ongoing Budget Session, where the Waqf (Amendment) Bill may soon be tabled in Parliament.
A 31-member Joint Parliamentary Committee (JPC), set up to examine the Bill, submitted its 655-page report to Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla on January 30. The report, adopted by a 15–11 majority, largely reflected the suggestions of BJP members. Opposition MPs, however, issued dissent notes, claiming the process was biased and aimed at dismantling Waqf boards.
The Bill was originally introduced on August 8 by Union Minority Affairs Minister Kiren Rijiju.
