-Mohammed Atharulla Shareef
Bengaluru: The Movement for Constitutional Rights, a coalition of AIMPLB, BBA, and SPLB, organized a workshop at NGOs Bhawan to raise awareness on constitutional rights, personal laws, and social justice.
Dr. Syed Qasim Rasool Iliyas of AIMPLB discussed the Waqf Act’s evolution, finalized in 2013, and the risks of the proposed amendment. He warned that the bill allows government interference in Waqf properties, which were donated for the welfare of the Muslim community. Unlike other religious endowments, the bill imposes non-Muslim members in Waqf management and mandates that only a practicing Muslim for five years can make future donations.
Due to strong objections, the bill was referred to the JPC, which received seven crore submissions from Muslims. However, only recommendations from individuals connected to the ruling party were considered. Dr. Iliyas criticized the government for permitting disputes over mosques like Gyanvapi and Sambhal Jamia Masjid despite the Places of Worship Act 1991, which had sealed the status of all religious places as they were on Independence Day. He warned of growing threats to mosques, dargahs, and madrasas.
On the Uniform Civil Code, he argued that it violates religious rights and disrupts India’s diversity. He questioned its uniformity, pointing out that Uttarakhand exempted tribals from its provisions. Prof. Sulaiman emphasized that fundamental rights cannot be repealed by Parliament, yet the government is attempting to suppress them. He called for a mass movement to resist these changes.
Dr. Syed Roshan Mulla highlighted the unfair distribution of resources in India, categorizing them into land, air, water, industrial, and service sectors. He explained that the Bahujan community was deprived of resources for centuries until Islam and Christianity arrived. He noted that 20 families dominate national wealth while the majority struggles with minimal resources. He stressed the need for awareness and an uprising to demand equitable distribution.
Prof. Tumakuru Chandrakant presided over the session. The workshop concluded with a resolution to promote legal education and policy advocacy, urging the government to involve diverse stakeholders in decision-making. Participants supported future collaborations on legal awareness and a mass movement for justice. The Movement for Constitutional Rights pledged to organize similar workshops across the country to strengthen unity and constitutional awareness.
