Staff Reporter / New Delhi
The apex body of Indian Muslims the All India Muslim Personal Law Board (AIMPLB) today vowed to challenge the Waqf (Amendment) Bill in court, calling it a “black law” that endangers the rights of the Muslim community. AIMPLB has also decided to organize nationwide protests to oppose the bill, which aims to amend the 1995 Act governing Waqf properties.
The Waqf Bill was tabled in the Lok Sabha for discussion and passage on Wednesday. If passed by the Lower House, the Bill will be tabled in the Rajya Sabha.
The Board has claimed the intention is discriminatory, communally motivated, and a blatant infringement on the constitutional rights of Muslim citizens.
According to the Board, “The proposed bill undermines the fundamental principles of religious freedom, equality, and justice, enshrined in Articles 14, 25, and 26 of the Indian Constitution. The AIMPLB strongly objects to the bill’s provisions.”
S.Q.R. Ilyas, spokesperson of the Board, while addressing media persons, said, “The Joint Parliamentary Committee’s (JPC) report has failed to address the AIMPLB’s concerns, instead perpetuating the bill’s flaws. We urge all secular and non-communal parties, as well as conscientious MPs, to reject this divisive bill and uphold the constitutional principles of equality, justice, and religious freedom.” He also urged MPs not to walk out but instead to debate and press for a vote on the contentious Waqf (Amendment) Bill in both houses of Parliament and force the NDA allies and other fence-sitters to take a position against this legislation.
During the press meet, AIMPLB gave a nationwide call for all citizens of the country to hit the streets and democratically protest if the contentious Waqf Amendment Bill is passed in Parliament today and to protest until this Bill is withdrawn.
The press conference was also addressed by Mohd. Fazlur Rahim Mujaddidi, General Secretary, AIMPLB; Mohammed Adeeb, Ex-MP and Member, AIMPLB; and Shafi Madani, National Secretary of Jamaat-e-Islami Hind.
Criticising the proposed legislation at a press conference, AIMPLB member Md Adeeb claimed it was an attempt to seize properties of the Muslim community.
“They have started this spectacle thinking they can take away our property. Can this be accepted? Do not think that we are defeated,” Adeeb said.