Hyderabad: After a brief pause in solidarity with the victims of the Pahalgam terror attack, the All India Muslim Personal Law Board (AIMPLB) has resumed its “Save Waqf” campaign, adopting a new approach aimed at maintaining peace and avoiding disturbances.
Instead of organizing public rallies as previously seen in Patna, Hyderabad, Parbhani, and Vijayawada, the Board has now decided to hold closed-door meetings and protests in indoor venues like stadiums and halls, especially in BJP-ruled states. This strategy, they say, aims to prevent the hijacking of protests by unruly elements and to avoid giving authorities any pretext to label the movement as disruptive or unlawful.
In a symbolic move, the Board has also announced a nationwide “Batti Gul” or “Lights Off” protest. All citizens are urged to switch off their lights for 15 minutes at 9 p.m. on Wednesday to peacefully oppose the amendments made to the Waqf Act. “It is a silent protest, a way to express our dissent without confrontation,” said SQR Ilyas, spokesperson of AIMPLB.
Highlighting their emphasis on peace, Ilyas added, “We are committed to non-violence and constitutional methods. Our campaign is about saving the spirit of the Constitution and upholding the fundamental rights guaranteed to all citizens. We are reaching out to people of all faiths to join us.”
In regions governed by opposition parties that oppose the Waqf amendments, the Board plans to continue public rallies. Events similar to those in Parbhani and Malegaon are likely to be held in Malegaon and Jamshedpur, provided there is public support. In less conducive environments, the Board prefers conducting conferences and submitting memoranda to authorities.
Meanwhile, the legal battle continues, with the Waqf case scheduled to be heard in the Supreme Court on May 5.
