On the last Friday of Ramadan (Jumatul Wida), the Muslim community across India protested against the Waqf Amendment Bill by wearing black bands during prayers. This symbolic protest was called by the All India Muslim Personal Law Board (AIMPLB). Muslims in cities like Delhi, Lucknow, Bhopal, and others participated in the protest, wearing black bands as they gathered in mosques for prayers.
The AIMPLB had appealed against the Waqf Amendment Bill 2024. In response to the protest, high security measures were put in place across Uttar Pradesh, including in cities like Sambhal, Meerut, Kanpur, and Prayagraj. Rapid Action Force and police conducted flag marches outside the Shahi Jama Masjid in Sambhal. Additional security was also maintained during Taraweeh prayers in the evening.
The AIMPLB shared a letter on the social media platform X, urging Muslims to wear black bands during prayers. The board stated, “Alhamdulillah, the massive protests by Muslims in Delhi’s Jantar Mantar and Patna have shaken even the BJP’s ally parties. A big protest will also take place in Vijayawada on March 29.”
The letter continued, “The Waqf Amendment Bill 2025 is a dangerous conspiracy. Its aim is to dispossess Muslims of their mosques, Eidgahs, madrasas, dargahs, khanqahs, cemeteries, and charitable institutions. If this bill passes, all these will be taken away from us. It is the responsibility of every Muslim in the country to strongly oppose the Waqf Amendment Bill.”
In Tamil Nadu, the DMK government passed a resolution against the Waqf Amendment Bill in the state assembly. Chief Minister MK Stalin said the bill would take away the rights of Muslims. He said, “The central government is bringing policies that go against the rights, culture, and traditions of states. The Waqf Amendment Bill is destroying the rights of Muslims. The central government has never thought about the welfare and rights of Muslims.”
Stalin added, “The amendment says that two non-Muslim individuals should be part of the Waqf. Muslims are concerned that this is a way for the government to take control of Waqf properties, and it goes against religious freedom.”
The opposition to the bill continues to grow as the protests spread across the country.
