The All India Muslim Personal Law Board (AIMPLB), a leading Muslim organization in India, on Friday said that it will soon initiate nationwide protests and legal action against the Waqf (Amendment) Bill 2025, which has been approved by both the Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha, “despite strong objections from the Board, all national organizations, Muslims in the country, and justice-loving citizens.
The AIMPLB rejected the bill, terming it a “discriminatory, communally motivated, deplorable act and a blatant infringement on the constitutional rights of Muslim Citizens,” said they will approach the court over the matter.
Waqf refers to personal property – moveable or immovable – that is permanently donated by Muslims for religious, educational or charitable purposes. Waqf properties cannot be sold or transferred.
Here is the full text of AIMPLB press release
Notwithstanding the serious objections raised by the All India Muslim Personal Law Board, all community organizations, all Muslims of the country and justice loving citizens, the Waqf (Amendment) Bill 2025 has been passed by Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha. While responding to this development, Maulana Muhammad Fazlur Rahim Mujaddidi, General Secretary, All India Muslim Personal Law Board has branded the approval of this Bill as a stigma and a black chapter for the largest democracy of the world. Intoxicated with power, the ruling party has been crossing limits and for covering up its mistakes and failure it has been promoting sectarian hatred in the country. The Waqf (Amendment) Bill is part of its same design. Although this Bill is wrongly projected as pro-Muslim, it is totally unacceptable to Muslims. It is regrettable that the government did not pay any heed to the concerns expressed by the All India Muslim Personal Law Board and other Muslim organizations. Nor did it listen to the voice of the Opposition parties and Civil Society. Such an oppressive attitude does not befit a democratic country. The Board would not sit idle. It would launch a nation-wide protest movement. Also, it would move to court after doing through ground work. The process of consultation at a wide scale is on for both the protest and litigation. Its schedule would be announced in due course. While acting within the ambit of the constitution and law it would conduct peaceful, robust protest, God willing.
We appeal to all Muslims and justice-loving citizens to look forward to the announcement by the Board. When the call to protest is given, they should vigorously join it so that the government may realize its mistake and the door may open for its recall.
We deem it necessary to clarify that that the Waqf Amendment Bill is pernicious in its contents and it would give rise to many problems and issues. The government must withdraw it.
After the presentation of the Bill in Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha, MPs of the Opposition parties opposed the Bill with sagacity, full preparation and conscientiousness and brought into sharper relief the stance of Muslims. This is a highly welcome development. The Board places on record gratitude for all the chiefs and MPs of the Opposition parties for their stand against the Bill, and appreciates their sensitivity. We expect that they would cooperate in future also in our campaign against the Bill. However, the conduct of the allies of BJP and their leaders, particularly Nitish Kumar, Chandra Babu Naidu, Chiragh Paswan and Jayant Chaudhary has been reprehensible. Muslims have always supported them in view of their secular image. However, they have betrayed Muslims, which would be never forgiven. They would have to face its brunt. The Muslims who are associated with these parties should reconsider their status. What would be their place after this betrayal? Which course should they follow as Muslims? It is deplorable to prefer own political interests to the cause affecting the entire Muslim community. The Board clarifies that it would not budge from its stance under any pressure, threat or wrong attitude. It would not abandon its demands. Whenever a sacrifice is needed, the Board would come forward. The Board is not alone in this struggle. The entire Muslim community stands solidly behind it.
