New Delhi: Jamaat-e-Islami Hind (JIH) President Syed Sadatullah Husaini, who also serves as the Vice-President of the All India Muslim Personal Law Board (AIMPLB), has called on Muslims in Delhi and surrounding areas to participate in large numbers in the protest at Jantar Mantar on March 13 against the Waqf (Amendment) Bill 2024.
The demonstration, organized by AIMPLB in collaboration with several non-Muslim organizations, aims to oppose the Bill’s provisions, which are alleged to be unconstitutional and a direct attack on Waqf properties. AIMPLB, an umbrella body representing various Islamic schools of thought in India, has consistently opposed the amendments, stating that they threaten the autonomy and protection of Waqf assets.
Under pressure from opposition parties and following a massive signature campaign by the Muslim community, the Bill was referred to a Parliamentary Committee on Waqf seven months ago. However, despite consultations and objections from various stakeholders, the committee did not recommend withdrawing the Bill. Instead, it forwarded the contentious Bill to the Lok Sabha Speaker for parliamentary approval. Given that the Parliament is currently in session, it could be tabled for discussion at any time.
In a video statement, JIH President Syed Sadatullah Husaini denounced the proposed Bill as a “repressive action” against India’s largest religious minority. He emphasized that if enacted, the amendments would strip Muslims of their constitutional right to manage and administer Waqf properties, removing critical safeguards designed to protect them.
He further pointed out that while the Indian Constitution grants all religious communities the right to administer their properties, the central government is attempting to curtail this right exclusively for Muslims through the proposed amendments.
“Efforts have been ongoing for over a year to educate the community about the dangers posed by this Bill. Muslim leaders and organizations have conducted consultations nationwide and organized protests to voice their opposition. Detailed objections have been submitted to the government, AIMPLB, and Jamaat-e-Islami Hind, and responses to the Joint Parliamentary Committee (JPC) have been provided,” he stated.
Despite these efforts, he lamented that the government “bypassed all democratic procedures” and is now actively working to get the Bill passed in Parliament.
“Muslims now have no choice but to stage large-scale protests,” Husaini asserted. He also stressed that protecting Waqf properties, mosques, and madrasas is a religious obligation, as these are assets belonging to Allah, with Muslims serving as their trustees.
AIMPLB President Maulana Khalid Saifullah Rahmani has echoed similar sentiments, urging mass participation in the protest. Other prominent leaders who have issued appeals include AIMPLB General Secretary Maulana Fazlur Rahman Mujaddidi, AIMPLB Spokesperson Syed Qasim Rasool Ilyas, Jamiat Ulama-e-Hind leaders Maulana Syed Arshad Madani and Maulana Mahmood Madani, AIMPLB Vice-President Ubaidullah Khan Azmi, Maulana Asghar Imam Mehdi Salfi, and Maulana Mohammed Ali Mohsin Taqvi.
