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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PM unveils Rs 10,601-cr fertiliser plant in Assam, unit to be commissioned by 2030
Namrup (PTI): Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday laid the foundation stone of a Rs 10,601-crore brownfield ammonia-urea plant in Dibrugarh district of Assam.
The facility – Assam Valley Fertiliser and Chemical Company Ltd (AVFCCL) – will have an annual urea production capacity of 12.7 lakh metric tonnes and the project is scheduled for commissioning in 2030.
The PM, on the last day of his two-day Assam visit, laid the foundation stone of the plant here, located within the existing premises of the Brahmaputra Valley Fertiliser Corp Ltd (BVFCL).
In July this year, AVFCCL was incorporated at Namrup in Dibrugarh. The projectwas approved by the Union Cabinet in March this year.
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AVFCCL is a joint venture among the Assam government, Oil India, National Fertilisers Ltd (NFL), Hindustan Urvarak & Rasayan Ltd (HURL) and BVFCL.
Modi arrived in Assam on Saturday on a two-day visit, during which he unveiled multiple projects worth Rs 15,600 crore, months before the assembly polls next year.
"The AVFCCL Namrup ammonia-urea project is being established as a modern, energy-efficient, world-class fertiliser complex with an annual urea production capacity of 12.7 lakh metric tonnes, at an estimated investment of Rs 10,601 crore," the company said in a statement.
It said this upcoming facility will play a pivotal role in meeting the fertiliser requirement of Assam, the northeast region, West Bengal, Bihar, Jharkhand and eastern Uttar Pradesh.
"Beyond fertiliser security, the project is expected to act as a major catalyst for industrial growth, employment generation and regional economic development, creating hundreds of direct jobs and thousands of indirect employment opportunities," AVFCCL said.
The company also asserted that the foundation stone laying ceremony marked the revival of Namrup's legacy as the cradle of India's gas-based fertiliser industry, and will herald a new chapter of growth, sustainability and agricultural prosperity for the entire region.
The 'Bhoomi Poojan' took place in presence of Assam Governor Lakshman Prasad Acharya, Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma along with other ministers, MPs, MLAs, senior officials and representatives of stakeholder organisations of the new company.
The state-run BVFCL is the only urea-making facility in the eastern India. The facility started production in January 1969, as a part of the Hindustan Fertiliser Corp Ltd (HFCL).
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BVFCL was formed in April 2002 after hiving off the Namrup Unit of HFCL. It is under the administrative control of the Ministry of Chemicals and Fertilisers, with 100 per cent shareholding by the Government of India.
It is touted to be the first factory of its kind in India to use associated natural gas as basic raw material for producing nitrogenous fertiliser.
The company has played a crucial role in the development of the northeastern region and providing farmers urea fertiliser, which is produced from cheap and locally available domestic natural gas, officials said.
As per the official website of the Department of Fertilisers, the company is now producing neem-coated urea and two organic fertilisers – liquid bio fertiliser and vermi compost under the brand name of 'Mukta'.
BVFCL has two operable ammonia urea units at Namrup, with small capacities, which were established in 1976 and 1987.
