– Mohd.Naushad Khan
A petition has been filed in the Supreme Court by Telangana government advisor and former state minister Mohammad Ali Shabbir, along with Indian Muslim for Civil Rights (IMCR) chairman and former MP Mohammad Adeeb. Reports say the Supreme Court may hear the case on April 16.
Renowned Supreme Court lawyer Fuzail Ahmed Ayubi will represent IMCR. In a joint press statement, Mohammad Ali Shabbir and Mohammad Adeeb said the law deprives the country’s largest minority, Muslims, of religious freedom. They declared that IMCR will not remain silent until the law is withdrawn.
The controversial Waqf Act was passed by both the Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha. It was later signed by the President, notified in the Gazette, and implemented. The two leaders called it a direct attack on the religious and constitutional rights of Muslims and a serious blow to the autonomy of Waqf institutions.
They added that while reviewing the bill, the Joint Parliamentary Committee ignored all recommendations made by opposition MPs. The chairman rejected them all, making the consultation process ineffective. They expressed anger, saying that consultation doesn’t mean suppressing opposition voices or bulldozing their protests.
IMCR raised serious concerns about the inclusion of non-Muslim members in the Waqf Boards and Central Waqf Council. They said state governments have been given too much power to manage and control Waqf properties. Earlier, members were elected, but the new law allows governments to nominate them—making them answerable to the state instead of the community.
Both leaders warned against any move by the state to take control of mosques, dargahs, graveyards, Eidgahs, and old waqf institutions. They said Muslims have two paths—fight the law in court or hold peaceful protests across the country. IMCR affirmed it will pursue all legal and constitutional means to repeal this black law, which they said endangers the rights of all religious and linguistic minorities.
