AIMPLB calls for 15-minute lights-off protest on April 30 against Waqf Amendment Act
New Delhi: The All India Muslim Personal Law Board (AIMPLB), which has launched a nationwide campaign against the Waqf (Amendment) Act, 2025, has called for a symbolic protest named “Batti Gul” on April 30. As part of the protest, people across the country are urged to switch off lights in their homes and commercial establishments for 15 minutes at 9 PM.
This decision follows a massive public rally titled “Save Waqf, Save Constitution” held recently in Hyderabad, in collaboration with the All India Majlis-e-Ittehadul Muslimeen (AIMIM). The rally saw participation from thousands of people, along with representatives from several political parties including the Congress, Bharat Rashtra Samithi, YSR Congress Party, and DMK.
The first phase of the “Save Waqf” campaign is scheduled to culminate on July 13 with a large gathering at Delhi’s Ramlila Maidan. Leading up to this, the AIMPLB plans to organize state and district-level programs to raise awareness about the new law and put pressure on the government for its repeal.
The Board has issued detailed guidelines to its units across states and districts regarding the nature of the campaign and precautions to be taken. Emphasizing peaceful conduct, the Board has directed that all events be carried out in a disciplined and non-violent manner.
“In states governed by the BJP and its allies, where cooperation with the campaign is unlikely and the environment is not conducive, we have decided not to hold street rallies or public demonstrations,” said Syed Qasim Rasool Ilyas, spokesperson of the AIMPLB.
Ilyas expressed concern that discontent over the passage of the bill in Parliament could lead to provocations or disruptions during street events. To avoid such risks, indoor programs similar to the recent one held at Delhi's Talkatora Stadium will be preferred in such states. These will include roundtable discussions, public meetings, and dialogue-based events.
One such program was held in Parbhani, Maharashtra, on Sunday.
The Board’s guidelines also instruct that the protest should not remain confined to the Muslim community. Prominent figures from other religious communities who support the campaign should be encouraged to participate.
Calling the Waqf Amendment Act discriminatory and violative of constitutional fundamental rights, Ilyas reiterated that the Board is firmly opposed to it. He also stated that in states showing support for the protest, public rallies and human chains would be organized.
The AIMPLB has submitted a memorandum to the President of India seeking the repeal of the law. Reiterating the April 30 call, Ilyas and AIMIM MP Asaduddin Owaisi have urged people to join the protest by switching off lights at 9 PM for 15 minutes under the banner of “Batti Gul.”
Earlier, following the terrorist attack in Pahalgam on April 22, the Board had temporarily suspended its campaign for three days as a mark of respect.
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RSS' method is to make personal attacks, did so with Mahatma Gandhi as well: Rahul Gandhi
Araria (Bihar) (PTI): Congress leader Rahul Gandhi on Tuesday alleged that making personal attacks is the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh's method of targeting anyone and it did so with Mahatma Gandhi as well.
Gandhi made the remarks at an interaction with Mahagathbandhan allies in Bihar, a video of which he posted on his X handle.
In the video, Gandhi is seen having tea at a dhaba here on Sunday with RJD's Tejashwi Yadav, CPI(ML)'s Dipankar Bhattacharya, Vikassheel Insaan Party's Mukesh Sahani, Mahatma Gandhi's great-grandson Tushar Gandhi, Bihar Congress chief Rajesh Kumar and Congress leader Shakeel Ahmad Khan.
"The RSS method of attacking is (making) personal attacks. They used to do it with Gandhi ji all the time. People don't know, don't remember the amount of abuse and defamation heaped on him (Gandhi) by the RSS. How much they lied about him, this is their style," the Leader of Opposition in the Lok Sabha said.
Tushar Gandhi said that earlier debates used to be very strong and heated, but there was never personal abuse. "Now it has been legitimised," he said, to which Yadav added that it has started to happen after 2014.
"They abused Karpoori Thakur ji and then had to give him a Bharat Ratna," Yadav said.
Talking about the alleged "vote chori", Yadav said people would earlier say that they cast their vote but when the results came, they did not know where their vote had gone.
"Now, these things that are coming out with evidence and facts, people now know that theft is happening. The approach that the Election Commission has taken, people have got the message that the two (EC and the BJP) are in collusion. What (Prime Minister Narendra) Modi ji is saying, the Election commissioner is doing," the RJD leader said.
Echoing similar views, Sahani said that the people felt they voted for the INDIA bloc, but the result was opposite.
"Now that you (Rahul Gandhi) have brought out the facts, people know that something is wrong and Modi ji is doing some 'hera pheri'. Their (BJP's) voters have also started to believe so," the chief of VIP said.
Sahani and the Congress' Kumar and Khan hailed the Voter Adhikar Yatra and the enthusiasm among the people.
"People earlier never used to hit the road at 8 in the morning and we have also not done that, but it is happening here," Sahani said.
Posting the video of the interaction, Rahul Gandhi said on X, "Yatra, vote chori, and Gandhi ji -- a lively political discussion over hot tea and pakoras with coalition partners."
Gandhi launched the Voter Adhikar Yatra, supported by all Mahagathbandhan constituents, against the Election Commission's special intensive revision (SIR) of electoral rolls in Bihar.
The 16-day yatra, which began on August 17 from Sasaram, will conclude with a rally in Patna on September 1 before covering over 1,300 km across the state, where assembly elections are due later this year.
The yatra has so far covered Gayaji, Nawada, Sheikhpura, Lakhisarai, Munger, Katihar and Purnea districts. Further, it will pass through Madhubani, Darbhanga, Sitamarhi, West Champaran, Saran, Bhojpur and Patna districts.
