The Council for Personal Legal Law in India (Aimplb) organizes demonstrations to protest the WAQF Change Act, 2025 in several parts of the country, including Hyderabad, for several weeks. The Board of Directors tried to include women and people who belong to other faiths in protests, although its President Maulan Khalid Saifullah Rahmani in an exclusive interview with Hinda claims that their struggle is not against the Hind, but against the government trying to struggle land and Muslim control. Modified excerpts from the interview:
Q: What are your key claims against the WAQF change law, 2025?
It is convinced that the law was brought to obtain the qualities of Muslims. The law makes WAQF characteristics vulnerable. The WAQF concept by a user – important properties that were historically used as mosques, dargahs, cemeteries or Madrasas – which are used for a specific purpose, even if no documents are available, will be considered WAQF. Religious structures often precede documentation. For example, Delhi Jama Masjid and Hyderabad’s Mecca Masjid were built centuries ago. If the Masjid committees are now expected to submit ownership documents, it will determine the impossible standard. As for the government’s claim, we believe they have a habit of lying. They can claim any ground land. Most Waqf cases are against the government. All cases of WAQF, which are against the government, will therefore be questionable. Similarly, disputes were created on other Muslim worship and their creation does not need evidence.
Second, amendment says that any WAQF assets in relation to an archaeological survey of India (probably) will no longer be considered a waqf. Many historical mosques that serve both religious and public, as tourism sites, can now only function at the discretion of the government, depending on whether and at what frequency they allow nasal (prayers). Thirdly, the law seeks to dilute protection under the Law Act. Thousands of hectares will be at risk of exclusion from WAQF (due to unfavorable possession). Many ground land is in unauthorized possession of the government, Hindus and even Muslims.
How do you plan to participate in the public, given the usual BJP strength in adopting laws? Demonstrations such as “shutdown lights” and “human chain” were largely symbolic. Will future protests take a different form?
It is true that BJP rarely retreats. They believe in a dictatorship. Does not listen to the public. As can be seen in farmers’ laws, they were withdrawn after several farmers died. Aimplb protests will be within the rights. They will be peaceful. Our fight is not against our Hindu brothers, but against this government. If the government remains indifferent, our work committee will decide on another course. Whether it is an arrest, Bharo prison, or peace barriers. We are encouraged by the support of many Hindu brothers and groups of civil rights who stand with us.
QUESTION: BJP claims that this law will ensure transparency and seize Muslim women. How do you respond to these claims?
We say that be a public debate. Let the Prime Minister or Minister of the Interior participate. We welcome them. If this is not possible, send the Minister of the Act or minority to sit with the delegation of Aimplb. Let them explain how this law benefits Muslims, women or passmands. They will not be able. They say Pasmandas are denied rights. Are they not adhered to in Masjids that are WAQF? In Islam, all Muslims are the same.
Question: but discrimination based on castes between Muslims, as in the case of Pasmandas, was studied and documented. Those who are victims of discrimination know what they have gone through.
Yes, there are two aspects – economic and social. Economically, Muslims are among the most backward, as they found different commissions appointed by the government. Socically, some apply to Ashraf, Ajlaf and Arsal. However, these words are not found in any Islamic texts on jurisprudence. In Islam, the girl can marry a nasty man and no Aalim announces nicah invalid. If Imam is Masjida Ansari, which some may look down, but we don’t, Syed will still pray behind him. It is possible that these negative practices have entered the Muslim community for shared experience or influences from others. Islam, however, rejects the caste. We look at it as a social evil.
QUESTION: The government claimed to be in courts, even in the case of WAQF, “basic religious” practice.
The government represents it wrong. Fiqh (Islamic jurisprudence) should not be interpreted by the government. The opinion of those who are experts in FIQH should be accepted. Basic religious practice includes everything evidenced by the Qur’an and the Hadith (the tradition of the Prophet Muhammad).
What will act, especially in terms of states that soon go to elections, as is the case with Bihar?
Aimplb has nothing to do with politics. We do not support any party. We will not do this with an election question. Regarding the support of one party (law at that time) or other against it, it is unfortunate that many political leaders have no conscience.
Aimplb emphasized the unity between the vortex in terms of demonstrations, and called on different groups to fight the act.
If you see, the Jain temple was recently demolished in Mumbai. Secondly, the Buddhists in Bodh gay demonstrated. They want members of their own vortex in leadership. The problem deteriorates. It started with minorities, including Jains, Buddhists and Sikhs. In fact, I’m sure it will eventually affect Hindy.
Published – 3 June 2025 20:13
