Mohammad Ali Shabbir, a minority welfare adviser for the Telangana government, confirmed Congress’ commitment to opposing the WAQF Amendment on Sunday and recommended that the All India Muslim Individual Law Commission (AIMPLB) meet with his party chairman Mahesh Goud, so more coordinated demonstrations against the legislation could be organized.
Mr. Shabbir spoke at the roundtable held at the AIMPLB “Save Waqf Save Constrient”, with members of the board, faith leaders and legal experts speaking.
Mr Shabbir said: “Parliament is absolutely with you. We support all your decisions, legal struggles, public awareness campaigns or demonstrations.”
He recalled that when the WAQF Amendment (2025) was debated in both houses of both parliament, a large number of parliamentary members ruled cross-party, including those affiliated with the Union of India, against the bill. Mr Shabbir described it as a secular effort of unity, but while 288 Lok Sabha MPs were in the face of the bill, an impressive 232 voted against it. Similarly, while 128 members of Rajya Sabha voted in favor of the bill, 95 opposed it.
AIMPLB suspended demonstrations against new WAQF legislation to unite with victims and families of Pahalgam terrorist attacks. With tensions between India and Pakistan and the announcement of a ceasefire, the board said it would resume its activities against the bill.
Members and speakers reiterated that protests and demonstrations would be organized within the scope of the Constitution and that they would maintain peace. They say the act will not only affect Muslims, but will ultimately detriment to donations and freedoms of other believers.
Demonstration is scheduled at Dharna Chowk on June 1. Other forms of protest include human chains, encouraging members of other faiths to participate.
publishing – May 18, 2025 at 09:00 pm IST
