Hyderabad: Asaduddin Owaisi, the chief of the All India Majlis-e-Ittehad-ul-Muslimeen (AIMIM) and Member of Parliament, has called for a nationwide protest against the Waqf Amendment Bill, urging citizens to participate in a 15-minute lights-out demonstration on April 30. The protest, organised by the All India Muslim Personal Law Board (AIMPLB), will take place between 9:00 pm and 9:15 pm. Owaisi requested people across India to switch off the lights of their homes and businesses during this time to express their opposition to the controversial Bill.
The Waqf Amendment Bill, passed by Parliament and receiving the President's assent on April 6, has sparked widespread concern among Muslims in India. They argue that the Bill threatens their control over Waqf properties, which include mosques, dargahs, charitable institutions, and valuable land. The AIMPLB has warned that, if the Bill is enacted, Muslims could lose ownership and management of these properties, which have traditionally been considered charitable and are protected under Islamic law.
Waqf refers to land donated for charitable purposes in the name of God. Once such land is designated for Waqf, it cannot be sold, transferred, or altered. However, the new Waqf Amendment Act facilitates the conversion of Waqf land into private or government property, which critics argue undermines its intended purpose and violates the Constitution.
The new law has also raised concerns over the infringement of constitutional rights. The Indian Constitution guarantees the right to manage religious affairs and own property, under Article 26. Critics argue that the Waqf Amendment Act goes against this provision by allowing non-Muslims to be appointed to key positions in the Waqf boards and tribunals, including the Central Waqf Council. Additionally, the requirement that the Chief Executive Officer of the Waqf Board must be Muslim has been removed, further fueling opposition.
The Waqf Amendment Act, 2025, has been described as a direct challenge to the rights and freedoms of Muslims in India. It contrasts sharply with the recent resolution passed by the Tirumala-Tirupati Devasthanam (TTD) Trust Board, which has taken steps to terminate non-Hindu employees, highlighting the disparity in treatment of religious institutions in India. The protest led by Owaisi and the AIMPLB reflects the widespread concern among the Muslim community over the potential impact of this legislation on their religious and charitable properties.