AIMPLB condemns Waqf amendment bill, calls for nationwide protest
New Delhi: The All India Muslim Personal Law Board (AIMPLB) has strongly condemned the passage of the Waqf (Amendment) Bill in both the Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha, calling it a "deplorable act of government" and a "black chapter for the largest democracy in the world."
Meanwhile in its announcement issued on Friday the Board has announced plans to initiate nationwide protests and legal action against the bill.
Mawlana Muhammad Fazlur Raheem Mujaddidi, General Secretary of AIMPLB, criticized the government for disregarding the concerns of the Muslim community, opposition parties, and civil society.
He accused the ruling party of promoting sectarian divisions and claimed that the bill, while projected as being pro-Muslim, is in reality "totally unacceptable" to the community. He further asserted that the government’s actions reflect an oppressive attitude that contradicts democratic principles.
In response, the AIMPLB has promised to launch a large-scale protest movement and pursue legal. It also stated that, “the process of consultation at a wide scale is on for both the protest and litigation. Its schedule would be announced in due course. While acting within the ambit of the constitution and law it would conduct peaceful, robust protest, God willing. “
“We appeal to all Muslims and justice-loving citizens to look forward to the announcement by the Board. When the call to protest is given, they should vigorously join it so that the government may realize its mistake and the door may open for its recall,” the board urged.
In addition, AIMPLB reiterated its firm opposition to the bill, calling it "pernicious in its contents" and demanding its immediate withdrawal. The Board expressed gratitude to opposition parties for their vocal resistance against the bill and urged them to continue supporting the cause.
However, it criticized leaders of BJP allies, including Nitish Kumar, Chandrababu Naidu, Chirag Paswan, and Jayant Chaudhary, for siding with the ruling party. AIMPLB accused them of betraying the Muslim community and warned that such actions would have lasting consequences.
“The conduct of the allies of BJP and their leaders, particularly Nitish Kumar, Chandra Babu Naidu, ChiraghPasawan and Jayant Chaudhary has been reprehensible. Muslims have always supported them in view of their secular image. However, they have betrayed Muslims, which would be never forgiven. They would have to face its brunt. The Muslims who are associated with these parties should reconsider their status. What would be their place after this betrayal? Which course should they follow as Muslims? It is deplorable to prefer own political interests to the cause affecting the entire Muslim community,” the statement read.
Dr. M Vaquar Uddin Latifi, Office Secretary of AIMPLB, emphasized that the Board would not succumb to any pressure, threats, or political maneuvering. He assured that AIMPLB would remain steadfast in its demands and, if necessary, make sacrifices to protect the rights and interests of the Muslim community.
While, the Waqf (Amendment) Bill was passed in the Rajya Sabha in the early hours of Friday after an intense debate lasting nearly 14 hours with 128 votes in favor and 95 against, in the Lok Sabha it was passed after nearly 12 hours of debate, with 288 votes in favor and 232 against on Thursday. The bill now awaits for the President’s assent.
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Congress to have massive organisational reshuffle: KC Venugopal
Ahmedabad, Apr 8 (PTI): The Congress is going to have a "massive organisational reshuffle", AICC general secretary K C Venugopal said on Tuesday as the party's top leaders met here and vowed to embark on the "path of social justice" espoused by Sardar Patel.
Briefing reporters after the extended Congress Working Committee meeting at the Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel National Memorial here, Venugopal noted that the Congress has dedicated this year to a complete restructuring of the party organisation and the issue was discussed at length at the meeting.
"We are going to have a massive organisational reshuffle, and there will be guidelines for the same. Our general secretaries and in-charges are on it," he said.
Venugopal also stressed that measures to empower the party's district unit chiefs will be rolled out soon.
"We have already decided on that issue, empowering the DCC presidents and duties and powers of the DCCs has been discussed in various forums, already general secretaries and in-charges have approved the proposals and we are going to roll out that proposal in the near future," he said while replying to queries.
Venugopal said the Extended CWC passed a resolution that "our party will walk on the path showed to us by Sardar Patel ji".
"He stood up against the oppression of the British, fighting for the rights of workers and farmers. He rejected communal forces after Bapu’s assassination. He fought for an India where everyone had fundamental rights and freedoms.
"Today, as we embark on the path of social justice, our Nyay Path follows the same principles laid down by Sardar Patel," he said.
In his opening address at the meeting, Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge also asserted the party's claim to Sardar Patel's legacy and accused the BJP and RSS of trying to usurp it under a "well-planned conspiracy" against national heroes.
Kharge stressed that the Congress is taking forward the legacy of Mahatma Gandhi and Patel.
"Sardar Patel Saheb lives in our hearts, lives in our thoughts. We are taking his legacy forward. We have organised this CWC meeting in Ahmedabad at Sardar Patel Museum with this thought in mind. We pay our heartfelt tributes to him," he said.
Earlier in the day, AICC general secretary Sachin Pilot told reporters that the Congress intends to create more empowered district units with their presidents having enhanced accountability, responsibility and political strength.
He said that the Congress would fight the upcoming elections with strength and expressed confidence that the Congress and its supporting ideologies would come together to give the BJP and the NDA a tough challenge.
Briefing reporters outside the venue, Pilot said, "The intention of the Congress president and the Leader of Opposition is to create a more empowered district unit."
"The accountability, the responsibility and the political strength that we have thus given to the district presidents is set to be enhanced," he stressed.
The final outcome will be decided after the convention on Wednesday but the intention of the Congress is to make the District Pradesh Congress (DCC) presidents more empowered than before, the former Union minister said, adding the move is aimed at expanding the party's reach in villages, divisions and booths.
"The year 2025 is the year of the organisation to strengthen our workers, expand our party ideology and to make sure that the Congress reaches out in a mass contact programme through padyatras and door-to-door programmes," he said.
The party wants to send a clear message not just to its opponents but to its supporters and workers that the Congress will not step back and fight aggressively both within Parliament and outside, and make sure it wins the next political challenge, Pilot said.
"Elections are fought to be won, the next few elections we will fight with strength and I am supremely confident that the Congress and its supporting ideologies will come together to give the BJP and the NDA a tough challenge," Pilot said.
He said the resolution passed at the end of the session on April 9 will be named 'Nyay Path'.
"Tomorrow' session will write a new chapter in history," he said
The grand old party has announced that the Ahmedabad Session will be themed "Nyaypath: Sankalp, Samarpan aur Sangharsh", with more than 1,700 elected and co-opted AICC members attending the main conclave on April 9 on the banks of the Sabarmati river between the Sabarmati Ashram and Kochrab Ashram.
