New Delhi: A progressive faction of the Dawoodi Bohra community from Malegaon has issued a public statement disassociating itself from the group that recently met Prime Minister Narendra Modi. The widely circulated meeting led to confusion among the public, with many assuming a united stance of the entire Bohra community in support of the controversial Waqf Amendment Bill 2025, reported the Dawat News.
Asim Akhtar, Secretary of the Progressive Bohra Group, clarified, “We are an entirely separate and independent group. We had no role in the delegation that met the Prime Minister. We strongly oppose the recent amendments made to the Waqf Bill by the government.”
He emphasized that the group is already a part of the Waqf Board and sees no need for the proposed changes. “Some provisions in the bill are damaging to our rights and community interests,” Akhtar added.
Reacting to the public’s misunderstanding following the PM meeting, he said, “It’s incorrect to assume that all Bohras support this bill or Modi’s policies. We do not follow such religious leadership and reject their political alignment.”
Akhtar revealed that the Progressive Bohra group, though small in number—approximately 500 members in Malegaon—is rooted in free thought and rationality. “We do not follow the Syedna,” he stated, further pointing out that their centers are spread across Pune, Nashik, Malegaon, and Udaipur.
The group is also participating in local protests against the bill alongside other Muslim organizations and leaders. “We aim to have the harmful sections of the bill removed. Our movement is peaceful and legally grounded. We are not against reform, but it must be just and safeguard community rights.”
