– Mohammed Talha Siddi Bapa
Terms the Law a Trojan Horse for State Control over Sacred Endowments
Bengaluru: In a significant development against the controversial Waqf (Amendment) Act 2025, the Karnataka State Committee of All India Muslim Personal Law Board (AIMPLB) held a press conference in here today, denouncing the law as a direct assault on constitutional guarantees, minority rights, and religious freedom.
The press conference also marked the successful culmination of a coordinated statewide campaign, during which Muslim delegations across all districts of Karnataka submitted formal memoranda to their respective Deputy Commissioners (DCs). These memoranda, addressed to the President of India, urge immediate intervention to withdraw the Waqf (Amendment) Act 2025, citing it as undemocratic, anti-minority, and legally unsound.
Addressing journalists, the committee members outlined the legal, ethical, and religious implications of the amendment, warning that it grants sweeping powers to the government over Waqf properties and severely threatens the autonomy of Muslim religious, educational, and charitable institutions.
Leading the briefing were Mohammed Yousuf Kanni, convener of the campaign’s Karnataka action committee; Syed Shafiullah, co-convener; Dr. Mohammed Saad Belgami, President of Jamaat-e-Islami Hind Karnataka; Asim Afroz Seth, AIMPLB member; and Mohammed Furqan, media in-charge. They jointly stated that the amendment violates not only the spirit of the original 1995 Waqf Act but also Articles 25, 26, and 29 of the Indian Constitution – all of which guarantee religious freedom and the right of minorities to manage their institutions without state interference.
“This is not merely a policy issue – it is a constitutional crisis,” declared Dr. Belgami. “Waqf properties are not private assets. They are religious trusts, held in perpetuity for the benefit of the community and for the sake of Allah. Any attempt to bring them under direct government control violates both constitutional law and Islamic jurisprudence.”
AIMPLB’s Karnataka leadership emphasised that the issue transcends the Muslim community. “This law sets a dangerous precedent,” said Asim Afroz Seth. “If the religious properties of minorities can be taken over, it erodes the very foundation of secularism and pluralism that India claims to uphold.”
The committee announced that if the Act is not repealed, the movement will intensify through peaceful, democratic protests across the state under the guidance of AIMPLB. All legal and constitutional remedies will be explored to protect Waqf properties and preserve religious autonomy.
In a significant outreach initiative, Mohammed Yousuf Kanni announced plans for a civil society gathering on June 23 at LH Hall (Legislature Hall), Bengaluru. The event will bring together leaders from other faiths, civil rights activists, and social organisations, aiming to clarify misconceptions about the amendment and foster broader solidarity in opposition to it.
In conclusion, the AIMPLB Karnataka State Committee appealed to the judiciary, civil society, and all justice-loving citizens of India to speak out against this legislative overreach, defend constitutional values, and protect the rights of minorities.
