New Delhi: The All India Muslim Personal Law Board (AIMPLB) has strongly opposed the recently passed Waqf Amendment Bill, describing it as an attack on Islamic values and a threat to India’s constitutional secularism. The Board accused the government of trying to interfere with waqf properties and announced a nationwide protest campaign titled “Save Waqf, Save the Constitution.”
The Bill, passed in Parliament last week, aims to reform the administration and management of waqf properties across the country. Government officials claimed the changes are meant to make the process more transparent and efficient. However, AIMPLB claims that the real intention is to weaken the autonomy of waqf boards and open the door for political interference.
“This Bill is not about transparency. It’s about control,” said a senior member of the AIMPLB during a press conference held in Lucknow. “Waqf properties are not just land or buildings, they are part of our religious and cultural identity. The government is trying to take that away.”
Waqf properties are typically donated for religious, charitable or educational purposes in the Muslim community. Many of them are used to run schools, hospitals, mosques and social welfare programs. The AIMPLB argued that the amendments would allow the government to overstep its limits and possibly misuse these assets.
The Board also slammed several political parties for backing the Bill, accusing them of pretending to be secular while supporting policies that go against minority rights. “The so-called secular parties have shown their real face,” the statement read. “They are playing vote-bank politics at the cost of our constitutional rights.”
In response to the Bill’s passage, the AIMPLB has announced a series of protests across the country. The first major gathering will take place at Talkatora Stadium in Delhi, followed by symbolic arrests, rallies and public meetings in cities like Mumbai, Hyderabad, Kolkata and Bengaluru. The protests are expected to continue till Eid al-Adha.
The Board called on the Muslim community to join the protests peacefully and with discipline. “We don’t want chaos. We want justice. Our fight is for the Constitution, and we will follow constitutional path only,” said another Board official.
They also warned against any emotional or aggressive reaction that could be used by anti-social elements to disturb peace. “We must stay united, and not give anyone a chance to paint us as troublemakers,” the Board said.
Legal experts within AIMPLB are also exploring options to challenge the Bill in the Supreme Court. According to insiders, a petition is being drafted that will argue the amendments violate Articles 25 and 26 of the Constitution, which guarantee freedom of religion and the right to manage religious affairs.
The Waqf Amendment Bill has sparked heated debate among legal scholars, politicians and activists. Critics say it reflects a pattern of increasing control over religious institutions, while supporters argue it’s a step toward accountability.
As the protests unfold, the spotlight will remain on whether the government is willing to open dialogue — or if this will deepen the trust deficit between the state and the Muslim community.
