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AIMPLB, AIMIM, BRS, YSRCP, and DMK unite in Hyderabad for a show of strength against Waqf Act

The gathering also outlined a clear roadmap for sustained resistance, including blackouts, round table meetings, women-led protests, and city-wide human chains — all demanding a repeal of the controversial act.

Saicharan Sana

Published Apr 20, 2025 | 11:00 AM ⚊ Updated Apr 20, 2025 | 1:47 PM

AIPMLB and AIMIM lead a protest against the Waqf Amendment Act

AIPMLB and AIMIM lead a protest against the Waqf Amendment Act

Synopsis: A protest was organised in Hyderabad against the recently passed Waqf (Amendment) Act. Political leaders demanded that the Act be repealed and warned of further protests. The protestors claimed that the act was an attack on the religious rights and heritage of the Muslim community.

A sea of people waving black flags and placards gathered in defiant protest in Hyderabad’s Darussalam on the evening of Saturday, 19 April, to protest the implementation of the Waqf (Amendment) Act, 2025.

From 7 pm until nearly 11, the air was charged with resistance and deafening roars as the All India Muslim Personal Law Board (AIMPLB) and AIMIM came together to lead a massive show of strength against the Act, which they claimed has been designed to encroach upon the rights of Indian Muslims.

With fiery speeches and powerful and emotional appeals, the Muslim community voiced its growing anger over what it called an attack on their religious rights and heritage.

The protest wasn’t just limited to Hyderabad’s locals — political solidarity poured in from key regional players as leaders from the BRS, YSRCP, and DMK stood shoulder to shoulder with the demonstrators.

The gathering also outlined a clear roadmap for sustained resistance, including blackouts, round table meetings, women-led protests, and city-wide human chains — all demanding a repeal of the controversial act.

Ground report: Centre’s new Waqf Act allows Hindutva outfit to communalise land dispute

Owaisi’s warning

Crowd at the protest meet

Crowd at the protest meet

AIMIM President and Hyderabad MP Asaduddin Owaisi criticised Prime Minister Narendra Modi over the act and said: “Mr Modi, you’re not even the dust under Ambedkar’s foot.”

“When I tore the bill in the Parliament, I didn’t just do it for me, I did it for every Indian,” he said. He further said that the BJP has constantly attacked Islam over the last 11 years.

“To the Pasmanda Muslims supporting it, will you tell the angels that Modi was your god in death?” he taunted, asking if the people were prepared to fight the long battle against the “black law.”

“We are doing this to honour Allah’s home. Remember, Allah will remember our efforts,” he said, trying to motivate the crowd to take part in the series of protests the AIMPLB announced at the protest.

“We asked the Ministry of Minority Affairs as to why they brought in the Bill? If they even spoke to any Muslims. They couldn’t respond,” he stated. “Modiji, you’re playing a game of Chess in the Parliament, we also know how the game is played,” he taunted.

“We need to keep the Shia-Sunni unity intact because they are trying to divide us,” he said.

“This law could start fights in the country,” he warned. “After the Supreme Court’s interim relief, some of the BJP’s leaders said a religious war would start. The Babri Masjid was against us, did we say anything similar?” he said, criticising the BJP at the protest.

“You’re people are in power and they have been radicalised. They are threatening the Supreme Court and hurting the nation,” he warned, referring to the prime minister.

Also Read: Appointments, de-notification of Waqf properties put on hold

Solidarity from the BRS, YSRCP, and DMK

A protestor with a placard

A protestor with a placard

Additionally, leaders from the BRS, YSRCP, and DMK also showed up, expressing solidarity with the protest. Speaking at the event, former Telangana Home Minister Mahmood Ali said that the BRS opposed the bill.

“There were no communal fights during our regime, and even KCR [former chief minister K Chandrashekar Rao] is against the Bill,” he said. He further reiterated the party’s demand that the bill be repealed. “We want a repeal of the bill and a judicial safeguard on minority rights,” he said.

“All Opposition MPS opposed the Bill, but TDP and JD(U) — Chandrababu and Nitish Kumar — did not. We wanted to see Chandrababu Naidu stand with us,” YSRCP leader Abdul Hafeez said.

“Naidu promised Muslims in Andhra Pradesh he would oppose any law that goes against them, but now he is silent with the BJP,” he accused, calling on all secular people to join the fight. 

Meanwhile, DMK’s MM Abdulla warned the people against the BJP’s narrative setting.

“In Tamil, we have a saying which says he who touches the land of Shiva will see their clan destroyed. We also have a saying that what we know as Shiva is known as Allah in Arabia and God in Europe,” he explained. “So today, I would want to tell the BJP, if you touch the Waqf lands, you will see destruction,” he told an explosive applause.

Meanwhile, the AIMPLB announced its action plan moving forward to protest at Hyderabad’s Darussalam:

  • 30 April: Requested people to turn off their lights at 9 pm everywhere.
  • 18 May: Round table meeting in Hyderabad with intellectuals and secular leaders. There will be further round table meetings at the local level in Andhra Pradesh and Telangana.
  • 22 May: Women’s protest against the Act in Hyderabad.
  • 25 May: Multiple protests across Hyderabad with people forming human chains, demanding the repeal of the Act between 2 pm and 2.30 pm.
  • 1 June: A massive protest at Dharna Chowk near Indira Park.

(Edited by Muhammed Fazil.)

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