Kadapa: Following massive rallies in New Delhi and Patna against the controversial Waqf Amendment Bill, Jamiat Ulama-i-Hind (JUH), led by Maulana Arshad Madani, held a significant conference in Kadapa, Andhra Pradesh, on December 14. The conference resolutely declared its opposition to the bill and emphasized that any interference in Waqf provisions would not be tolerated. Maulana Madani made it clear that the Muslim community would fight this issue at all levels of governance.
Addressing a gathering of over five lakh people, Maulana Madani questioned the fairness of the proposed bill, saying, “Is it fair for someone else to take care of what belongs to us?” He criticized the bill’s flaws, stating that it could not be accepted as it violated the spirit of the Waqf’s intended purpose. He highlighted that the Jamiat had raised these concerns during discussions with the Joint Parliamentary Committee, and any changes to the Waqf’s status or the intentions of the donor (Waqif) were unacceptable.
Maulana Madani emphasized that Jamiat Ulama-i-Hind is a non-political body, focused on legal and social justice rather than electoral politics. He reassured the crowd that Muslims in India, as patriotic citizens, seek to uphold law and order, asserting that the organization’s struggle was for the protection of Muslim rights and interests.
The Kadapa conference was notable for its unprecedented turnout, as more than five lakh people attended, reflecting the deep concerns Muslims in the region have about the ongoing political and legal developments. Maulana Madani expressed his satisfaction with the success of the conference, which he said was not only a gathering of people but a powerful statement to the ruling government about the demands and grievances of the Muslim community.
The JUH leader also criticized the government for introducing the Waqf Amendment Bill and for pushing for the Uniform Civil Code, accusing the ruling party of eroding the country’s secular foundations. He expressed concern over the increasing threat to the Constitution’s secular values, suggesting that the current government, despite celebrating the Constitution’s 75 years, was undermining its core principles.
Maulana Madani drew attention to the sacrifices made by the founders of the Jamiat Ulama-i-Hind in the struggle for India’s independence and the creation of the secular Constitution. He vowed that Jamiat Ulama-i-Hind would continue to defend the Constitution and oppose any policies that threatened its secular framework.
Amid strong chants from the crowd, Maulana Madani declared that Muslims would remain in India, contributing to the nation’s progress and protecting their faith and identity. He also reiterated that no external forces could extinguish Islam, as history had shown the religion’s resilience in the face of adversities.
At the event, Maulana Khalid Saifullah Rahmani, President of the All India Muslim Personal Law Board, also spoke, highlighting the critical role of Muslims in the formation of India’s secular Constitution. Various other leaders from different regions, including Tamil Nadu, Andhra Pradesh, Telangana, and Karnataka, addressed the gathering, further reinforcing the unity of Muslims across India in opposing the bill.
A notable feature of the conference was the unity displayed by Muslims from diverse sects, who worked together to organize the event, transcending their differences. Maulana Madani praised the community’s spirit of togetherness, which he said was crucial in the current socio-political climate.
The Andhra Pradesh Jamiat Ulama (A) presented Maulana Madani with a draft containing over five lakh signatures, a petition from Muslims in three districts of the state, demanding the government’s rejection of the Waqf Amendment Bill. This petition, symbolizing a voice of protest, will be presented to Chief Minister Chandrababu Naidu.
Mufti Ma’soom Saqib, General Secretary of the Jamiat Ulama-i-Hind, played a pivotal role in organizing the conference, ensuring its historic significance. The event in Kadapa marked a strong stand by the Muslim community against the proposed amendments to the Waqf law, and it set the stage for future protests and legal actions across the country.
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