New Delhi: The All India Muslim Personal Law Board (AIMPLB) has shifted its protest against the Waqf Amendment Bill 2024 from March 10 to March 13 at Jantar Mantar.
AIMPLB spokesperson Dr. Syed Qasim Rasool Ilyas cited technical reasons for the change. Several religious, Dalit, Sikh, Christian, Adivasi, and OBC groups will also join the demonstration.
With the ruling party set to pass the bill in the Budget session, AIMPLB said hitting the streets is the only option. The Joint Parliamentary Committee (JPC) approved amendments last week, ignoring key stakeholders.
Dr. Ilyas stated that AIMPLB’s executive committee decided to protest at Jantar Mantar to oppose the bill and awaken the conscience of the government and political parties. AIMPLB has urged civil society and opposition parties to join the sit-in.
Calling the bill a plot to seize Waqf properties, AIMPLB said the government ignored concerns and demanded its withdrawal. Protests in Vijayawada and Patna on March 7 aim to pressure BJP allies TDP and JDU.
AIMPLB also slammed pro-BJP-RSS media for spreading false claims that Waqf properties are India’s largest after military and railways. It pointed out that Hindu Waqf properties in Andhra Pradesh and Tamil Nadu, along with temple lands in Odisha, far exceed Muslim Waqf properties.
“All Waqf properties were once personal assets donated by Muslims for religious and charitable use,” it said, adding that Waqf laws protect them from misuse.
The Cabinet accepted 14 of 23 JPC amendments, despite opposition MPs accusing the committee of bias and ignoring dissenting voices.
