Hyderabad: Protests erupted in Hyderabad and other parts of Telangana against the Waqf Amendment Act 2025 on Friday.
Soon after Friday prayers, Muslims came out on streets, demanding the Centre to roll back the ‘black legislation’. They alleged that the Modi government is conspiring to snatch Waqf properties from Muslims.
Protests were held at historic Makka Masjid near Charminar, Darulshifa Masjd, Dargah Ujale Shah mosque in Saeedabad, Azizia Masjid in Mehdipatnam and other mosques in the city. They were carrying placards, demanding the withdrawal of Waqf Act.
Outside Makka Masjid, protestors were heard raising slogans ‘Naare Takbeer Allahu Akbar’, ‘We want justice’ ‘Hum sab ek hain’ and ‘Nahi Nahi chalegi, Tanshahi Nahi Chalegi’.
The protestors were wearing black armbands to lodge their protest against the Waqf Act.
“We strongly condemn and oppose Waqf Amendment Act 2025,” reads a banner seen during the protest.
The protestors also criticised Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu and Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar, whose parties supported the Waqf Bill in Parliament. One of the protestors was carrying a placard calling for boycott of Heritage Foods, a company owned by Naidu’s family.
Similar protests were held at Darulshifa Masjid and Ujale Shah mosque in Saeedabad to demand withdrawal of the controversial legislation.
Wahdat-e-Islami organised a protest at Saidabad. “Roll back black Waqf Law”, “Owner of Waqf is Allah, Custodian of Waqf is Muslim community” and “Defending Waqf is defending Deen” were some of the slogans on placards.
The Students Islamic Organisation of India (SIO) held a rally at Azizia Masjid, Mehdipatnam. The students raised slogans to highlight the apprehensions in the community over the misuse of the new Act.
SIO Telangana said it led large-scale youth demonstrations across the state following Friday prayers, fiercely opposing the recently amended Waqf Act. Hundreds of demonstrators rallied in various districts and cities, including Warangal, Adilabad, Mahabubnagar, and different parts of Hyderabad. Simultaneous protests erupted at mosques statewide, condemning the Act as an “unconstitutional assault on Muslim rights.”
Addressing the gathering, Faisal Khan, Public Relations Secretary of SIO Telangana, asserted that Waqf is not tied to any individual – it belongs to Allah, and Muslims are merely its custodians. He emphasised that appointing a non-Muslim to a position of authority on the Waqf Board is akin to appointing a non-Hindu as an executive member of a temple – a move fraught with contradictions.
Khan highlighted that Waqf is protected under personal law and stated that government interference in its management is unjustified. He called upon the public – Muslims, Christians, and Hindus alike – to recognise the serious challenges facing the nation and unite against the injustices being perpetrated.
He also criticised the Union Government for neglecting pressing issues such as unemployment, the climate crisis, inflation, and rising tariffs. He accused the administration of fostering communal discord through divisive legislation.
