NEW DELHI: The All India Muslim Personal Law Board (AIMPLB) spearheaded a protest at Jantar Mantar in New Delhi today, rallying against the controversial Waqf (Amendment) Bill 2024. Hundreds of demonstrators, including religious leaders, community activists, and political figures, gathered to voice their opposition to what they describe as a “direct attack” on Muslim rights and Waqf properties, escalating tensions over a legislative proposal that has polarized opinions across the country.
The protest, dubbed the “Maha Dharna,” began at 10 AM and saw participation from a broad coalition of Muslim organizations, civil society groups, and supporters.
AIMPLB leaders, flanked by prominent figures like AIMIM MP Asaduddin Owaisi, accused the central government of pushing an agenda to undermine Muslim autonomy and seize control of Waqf properties—lands and assets dedicated by Muslims for religious and charitable purposes.
Waqf (Amendment) Bill 2024
The Waqf (Amendment) Bill 2024, recently cleared by the Union Cabinet after incorporating recommendations from the Joint Parliamentary Committee (JPC) chaired by BJP MP Jagdambika Pal, aims to reform the management of Waqf properties. Key provisions include digitization, stricter audits, and transparency measures.
Political Tensions Flare
The rally drew significant political support, with Owaisi, a vocal critic of the bill, reiterating his stance from the JPC discussions. “These amendments threaten to dissolve Waqf boards entirely,” he warned, accusing the ruling BJP-led NDA of disregarding opposition voices. Other opposition leaders, including Indian Union Muslim League MP ET Muhammad Basheer, echoed these sentiments, alleging that the government was “looting Waqf properties” while ignoring dissent within the JPC.
The protest also targeted NDA allies like the Telugu Desam Party (TDP) and Janata Dal (United) (JD(U)), with AIMPLB leaders urging them to reconsider their support for the bill.
Earlier demonstrations in Vijayawada and Patna on March 7 had aimed to pressure TDP’s Chandrababu Naidu and JD(U)’s Nitish Kumar, signaling a broader strategy to fracture the coalition’s unity.
In response, JPC Chairman Jagdambika Pal defended the legislative process, accusing the AIMPLB of sowing division. Speaking to reporters, Pal said, “We invited AIMPLB to present their views before the committee, and their concerns were noted in our 428-page report. Yet they choose to protest, challenging Parliament’s right to legislate. This is an attempt to confuse people and create hatred.” He emphasized that the bill, still pending parliamentary approval, would enhance Waqf governance, not dismantle it.
BJP leaders doubled down, with spokesperson Shehzad Poonawalla questioning the AIMPLB’s motives. “Why should Waqf have unchecked control over properties when other communities don’t enjoy such privileges? This is about accountability, not appropriation,” he argued, accusing the board and its allies—Congress, TMC, and AIMIM—of stoking communal tensions.
As the Budget Session progresses, the Waqf Bill remains a flashpoint.
The AIMPLB has vowed to escalate its campaign if the legislation passes, with Ilyas referencing the 2019 Shaheen Bagh protests as a potential blueprint. “If this bill is forced upon us, the nation will see resistance on every street,” he warned.
For now, Jantar Mantar stands as the epicenter of a brewing showdown—one that pits community heritage against governmental reform, testing India’s delicate balance of secularism and governance. As the debate rages on, the voices of March 17 signal a struggle far from resolved.