Jaipur: The Joint Committee for Tahaffuz-e-Auqaf, Rajasthan, has strongly opposed the recent amendments to the Waqf Act, 1995, calling them discriminatory and unconstitutional. At a press conference, leaders of the Committee said the changes undermine Articles 25, 26, and 29 of the Constitution, which guarantee freedom of religion, the right to manage religious affairs, and cultural rights of minorities. They pledged full support to the All India Muslim Personal Law Board’s nationwide campaign against the amendments.
Convener Mohammad Nazimuddin announced that the Bharat Bandh planned for October 3 has been deferred to avoid clashing with religious festivals. However, nationwide protests will go ahead, starting with a sit-in at Delhi’s Jantar Mantar on October 11, followed by state-level demonstrations and submission of memoranda to governors.
Committee members also criticized the Supreme Court’s interim order directing inclusion of three non-Muslim members in Waqf Boards and ending the nomination system for appointments. Advocate Saadat Ali said such provisions were unconstitutional and intended to bring Waqf institutions under government control.
The Committee condemned police actions in Uttar Pradesh against the “I Love Muhammad ﷺ” campaign. Leaders said chanting or writing the slogan is not unlawful and accused the state of targeting Muslim faith expressions. They denounced the arrest of Maulana Tauqeer Raza Khan and the use of force against demonstrators in Bareilly.
Nazimuddin reaffirmed that protests would continue until the amendments are withdrawn. “The love for Prophet Muhammad ﷺ is an inseparable part of our faith. Treating it as a crime is unacceptable,” he said.
