The All India Muslim Personal Law Board (AIMPLB) has joined forces with Sikh, Dalit, and Tribal groups to unite against growing threats to their constitutional rights, particularly the controversial Uniform Civil Code (UCC) and the Waqf Bill. On February 16, the AIMPLB organized a workshop titled “Movement for Constitutional Rights” in collaboration with the Sikh Personal Law Board and the Bhartiya Bahujan Alliance, highlighting the challenges faced by marginalized communities in India.
AIMPLB General Secretary Maulana Fazlurrahman Mujaddidi opened the event, stressing the need for unity among “oppressed groups”. “This workshop marks the first step toward securing the rights of minorities and underprivileged groups who face constant threats,” he said.
Maulana Obaidullah Khan Azmi, AIMPLB Vice President, raised concerns over rising communalism. “Nearly 85% of India’s population, especially marginalized groups, feel insecure as their religious identities and cultures are under attack. We will not surrender. We will fight until our last breath,” Azmi declared.
Dr. SQR Ilyas, spokesperson for AIMPLB, warned that the government’s push for the UCC in Uttarakhand could spread to other states. “This workshop is the beginning of our fight against the injustices posed by the UCC and the Waqf Bill,” he emphasized. He also called for unity against attacks on religious places. “We must work together to safeguard our rights and prevent these issues from being framed as a Hindu-Muslim conflict.”
The nationwide movement, planned to begin in April, will hold workshops in major cities to discuss the UCC, the Waqf Amendment Bill, and issues related to caste, governance, and minority rights.
Sikh Personal Law Board convener Prof. Jagmohan Singh urged unity to protect religious places and personal laws. “We must unite to dismantle the communal forces in power and rebuild our country on the lines of the Constitution,” he said.
Tribal leader Dr. Suresh Mane expressed concerns about the growing marginalization of Adivasi communities. “Adivasis are the true indigenous people of India, yet the government and affiliated groups are erasing our identity,” he said. He also criticized anti-conversion laws that could strip Adivasis of their Scheduled Tribe status if they convert to other religions.
Professor Mohammad Sulaiman, President of the Indian National League, called the anti-conversion laws unconstitutional. “We must form alliances at the social level to fight oppression and injustice,” he stressed. He also affirmed that both the Quran and the Constitution are vital to Muslims. “We never detach ourselves from either,” he added.
The workshop also featured discussions on issues such as the caste census, reservation in judiciary and private sectors, and the need for greater representation of marginalized communities in governance. Dr. B.D. Ashok, a retired IPS officer, highlighted the need for more inclusive policies for marginalized groups, while former MP Rajkumar Saini criticized political parties for hindering unity among these communities.
Maulana Yaseen Usmani, AIMPLB Secretary, lamented the ongoing suffering of marginalized communities. “The real target is you,” he told OBC, SC, and ST groups.
