– Mohd.Naushad Khan
A grand public meeting was held at the India Islamic Cultural Centre by the Association for Protection of Civil Rights (APCR) and Indian Muslims for Civil Rights (IMCR) to defend Waqf properties and safeguard the Constitution. The event drew parliamentarians, activists, journalists, student leaders, academics, and civil society groups.
IMCR Chairman Mohammed Adeeb, who presided over the event, said the Waqf Act is being misused and Muslims have faced constant targeting in the last decade. “The country claims to be secular, but in practice, it is not,” he said. He criticized the argument that Waqf is not an essential part of Islam, stating this misguides the court. “If the court accepts this, Article 26 loses meaning. If Waqf goes, what remains for us? Are we being punished for rejecting Jinnah and choosing Gandhi?” he asked.
Journalist and rights defender John Dayal warned that attempts to divide communities are increasing. He said Christians must realize they could be next, as they also hold large properties. Comparing it to the Conversion Law, he said Waqf could face similar outcomes without united protest.
Jamaat-e-Islami Hind Vice President Malik Mohtasim Khan, speaking for AIMPLB, said previous Waqf amendments aimed to improve governance, but current ones aim to create chaos and seize Muslim assets. He said the government should focus on real issues, not divisive ones.
AAP MP Sanjay Singh said protecting Waqf means protecting all religious lands—Jain, Hindu, Sikh, and Christian. He alleged that the Waqf law targets Muslim land for transfer to corporate allies of the Prime Minister, citing land allotments to Adani in Ayodhya. “We opposed it in Parliament, JPC, and on the streets, and will keep fighting,” he said.
Kairana MP Iqra Hasan criticized the naming of the Waqf Bill as “UMEED”, saying there is little hope in it. Yet, she said hope lies in the fact that 232 MPs opposed the bill, despite only 24 being Muslims. “Like in the CAA/NRC and farmers’ protests, victory comes with collective struggle,” she said. She stressed educating all communities about the Waqf issue at every level.
Kishanganj MP Mohammed Jawed said the RSS spreads misinformation on Waqf and BJP ministers lied in Parliament. He called for fearless state- and local-level awareness campaigns.
Academic and activist Prof Ratan Lal said injustice against Muslims is clear. “Sometimes courts do justice, sometimes not, but public opinion matters more. Sadly, public perception is now against Muslims.” He warned the next controversy may be over Halal vs Jhatka meat. Citing Dr. Ambedkar, he said political democracy is impossible without social democracy.
MP Syed Ruhullah Mehdi said Waqf belongs to Allah, and He will protect it as He protected the Kaaba. He compared MPs who voted against the Bill to Ababil birds and stressed that protecting the Constitution is the ultimate priority.
RJD MP Manoj Jha expressed online support and pledged full backing from his party.
Sambhal MP Ziaur Rehman Barq said their protest is not because the BJP brought the Bill, but because the intent is to capture Waqf land, not reform it.
Moradabad MP Ruchi Veera praised APCR and IMCR and called for unity in fighting injustice, assuring her support.
Other speakers included ex-MP Danish Ali, ex-IIT Prof Tripathi, Major Javed Iqbal, and student leaders from JNU and SIO. The program was moderated by APCR National Secretary Nadeem Khan.
