AIMIM president and Hyderabad MP Asaduddin Owaisi has announced a public meeting to protest against the Waqf Amendment Act. The meeting will be held by the All India Muslim Personal Law Board (AIMPLB) on April 19, from 7 PM to 10 PM, at Darussalam. Owaisi said that Muslim leaders from Telangana, Andhra Pradesh, and other parts of India will attend the event.
Owaisi accused the central BJP government of introducing the Umeed Act-2025 in a way that goes against the Indian Constitution. He claimed that the government is trying to take over Waqf lands by ignoring important constitutional rights, specifically Articles 23 and 26.
He also criticized the BJP-led NDA for drafting the Waqf Bill with support from leaders of allied parties such as Chandrababu Naidu, Nitish Kumar, and Jayant Chaudhary. Owaisi said the bill is unfair to Muslims and noted that, under the Umeed Act-2025, only people from Hinduism, Jainism, and Sikhism would be allowed on the board.
Owaisi further explained that the bill aims to protect those who have taken over Waqf lands illegally. He said that under Section 3D and the ASMR Act, Muslims would face serious injustice. Section 2 of the new act also adds to this unfairness. He pointed out that the BJP falsely claims Waqf lands are not being used and referred to the Ram Mandir verdict as an example.
He added that the Delhi government has written to the Waqf Board, asking it to return 120 properties in the city. This move could lead to several mosques and dargahs being removed from Waqf control.
