– Mohammed Atharulla Shareef
Mangaluru witnessed a strong protest against the proposed Waqf Bill. Ulema and community members expressed deep concerns, asserting their constitutional rights. Protesters raised slogans, vowing to protect their rights.
At the march’s end, former Karnataka Waqf Board chairman Shafi Sadi addressed the crowd. He questioned the government’s intent in targeting community-donated properties. Instead of encroaching, he urged a focus on development, livelihoods, and national harmony. He criticized divisive issues like the Hijab ban, CAA, NRC, and now the Waqf Bill, warning they fuel discord.
Ulema Coordination convenor Abdul Azeez condemned the amendments, calling them a ploy to destroy Waqf properties. He accused the government of a larger conspiracy against Muslims. After privatizing ports and airports, he claimed, it now eyes Waqf lands, attacking the community’s heritage.
Azeez highlighted history, recalling how Nalwadi Krishna Raja Wodeyar gave land for mosques and Tipu Sultan for temples, promoting harmony. He lamented that instead of upholding this legacy, the government was seizing religious properties. He urged authorities to protect these lands.
A memorandum listing community concerns was read out. Leaders like Dr. MSM Abdur Rasheed, Ismail Thangal, and M. Usman Faizi also spoke, reaffirming opposition to the Bill.
The protest reflected the Muslim community’s fears over systematic encroachments on their rights. Speakers stressed that their fight wasn’t against individuals or parties but against policies harming religious and cultural institutions. They urged the government to prioritize development over divisive policies.
Mangaluru’s protest is part of a nationwide dissent against the Bill. The community demands dialogue and reconsideration to protect Waqf properties’ religious and historical significance. The protest ended with a pledge to continue the struggle peacefully.
