New Delhi: On the day the Union government tabled the controversial Waqf Amendment Bill in Parliament, the All India Muslim Personal Law Board (AIMPLB) warned that if passed, it would launch a nationwide movement within constitutional and democratic frameworks. The Board emphasized that the issue of waqf is not a Hindu-Muslim conflict but a matter of constitutional rights.
Addressing the media at the Press Club of India on February 13, AIMPLB leadership strongly condemned the introduction of the bill, stating that it was presented without considering the views of Indian Muslims or opposition members in the Joint Parliamentary Committee. They accused the government of pushing arbitrary proposals through an undemocratic process.
A Constitutional Struggle, Not a Religious Conflict
AIMPLB President Maulana Khalid Saifullah Rahmani asserted that the fight for waqf is about constitutional rights, not religious rivalry. He urged justice-seeking individuals to support Muslims in safeguarding their rights.
“The government propagates misinformation, falsely claiming that waqf can seize any land. Courts exist to prevent unlawful acquisitions, yet the bill is based on religious prejudice,” he stated.
Maulana Rahmani reaffirmed that waqf properties, once dedicated, belong to God and cannot be altered. He demanded equal rights for Muslims in managing their religious properties, just as other communities control their places of worship.
Legal Action Against the Waqf Bill
Jamiat Ulama-i-Hind (A) President Maulana Arshad Madani announced that his organization would challenge the bill in court. He criticized efforts to undermine constitutional protections for religious freedom, warning that the government’s actions threaten India’s secular fabric.
Former MP and AIMPLB Vice President Maulana Obaidullah Khan Azmi also denounced the bill, emphasizing that it violates Muslims’ constitutional rights. He assured that the movement would remain peaceful and avoid communal tensions while defending religious freedoms for all communities.
Concerns Over Government’s Agenda
AIMPLB General Secretary Maulana Fazlul Rehman Mujaddidi expressed concern over policies that endanger Hindu-Muslim unity. He cited the Waqf Bill and the recently implemented Uniform Civil Code (UCC) in Uttarakhand as examples of targeted discrimination against Muslims.
“The government’s slogan, Sabka Saath, Sabka Vikas, serves only a select few, creating an atmosphere of injustice,” he remarked, urging authorities to respect religious diversity and avoid interference in faith-based affairs.
Jamaat-e-Islami Hind Vice President Malik Motasim Khan also condemned the bill, calling it “dangerous and ambiguous.” He criticized the Joint Parliamentary Committee for disregarding opposition recommendations and demanded the immediate withdrawal of the legislation.
Historical Context and Future Actions
Khan pointed out that anti-corruption regulations for waqf properties have existed since 1913, making the government’s claims about tackling corruption baseless. Instead of introducing a contentious bill, he urged the government to strengthen existing laws.
AIMPLB spokesperson Dr. Qasim Rasool Ilyas announced that the Board would launch a nationwide campaign if the government does not withdraw the bill. He warned that altering waqf laws could set a precedent that endangers religious endowments across all communities.
“If this bill passes, we will take every legal and constitutional step necessary, including going to court. This fight is not just about Muslims; it concerns every religious group in India,” he asserted.
Opposition to UCC and Appeal to Civil Society
Muslim leaders also opposed the Uttarakhand government’s imposition of the UCC, arguing that no state has the authority to enforce it unilaterally. They urged opposition parties, civil society, and defenders of constitutional rights to resist the bill.
“The approval of this bill would not only harm Muslims but also set a dangerous precedent for other religious communities’ endowments, places of worship, and charitable organizations,” they warned.
It is noteworthy that AIMPLB held an emergency meeting a day before the bill’s presentation in Parliament, strategizing its response to protect constitutional and religious rights.
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