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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Cong takes swipe at PM over India not being part of US-led 'Pax Silica' grouping
New Delh (PTI) The Congress on Saturday said it is perhaps not very surprising that India is not part of a US-led strategic initiative to build a secure silicon supply chain, given the "sharp downturn" in the Trump-Modi ties, and asserted that it would have been to "our advantage if we had been part of this group".
Congress general secretary in charge of communications Jairam Ramesh took a swipe at Prime Minister Narendra Modi, saying the news of India not being part of the group comes after the PM had enthusiastically posted on social media about a telephone call with his "once-upon-a-time good friend and a recipient of many hugs in Ahmedabad, Houston, and Washington DC".
In a lengthy post on X, Ramesh said, "According to some news reports, the US has excluded India from a nine-nation initiative it has launched to reduce Chinese control on high-tech supply chains. The agreement is called Pax Silica, clearly as a counter to Pax Sinica. The nations included (for the moment at least) are the US, Japan, the Republic of Korea, Singapore, the Netherlands, the United Kingdom, Israel, the United Arab Emirates, and Australia."
"Given the sharp downturn in the Trump-Modi ties since May 10th, 2025, it is perhaps not very surprising that India has not been included. Undoubtedly, it would have been to our advantage if we had been part of this group."
"This news comes a day after the PM had enthusiastically posted on his telephone call with his once-upon-a-time good friend and a recipient of many hugs in Ahmedabad, Houston, and Washington DC," the Congress leader asserted.
The new US-led strategic initiative, rooted in deep cooperation with trusted allies, has been launched to build a secure and innovation-driven silicon supply chain.
According to the US State Department, the initiative called 'Pax Silica' aims to reduce coercive dependencies, protect the materials and capabilities foundational to artificial intelligence (AI), and ensure aligned nations can develop and deploy transformative technologies at scale.
The initiative includes Japan, South Korea, Singapore, the Netherlands, the United Kingdom, Israel, the United Arab Emirates, and Australia. With the exception of India, all other QUAD countries -- Japan, Australia and the US -- are part of the new initiative.
New Delhi will host the India-AI Impact Summit 2026 on February 19-20, focusing on the principles of 'People, Planet, and Progress'. The summit, announced by Prime Minister Narendra Modi at the France AI Action Summit, will be the first-ever global AI summit hosted in the Global South.
Prime Minister Modi and US President Trump on Thursday discussed ways to sustain momentum in the bilateral economic partnership in a phone conversation amid signs of the two sides inching closer to firming up a much-awaited trade deal.
The phone call between the two leaders came on a day Indian and American negotiators concluded two-day talks on the proposed bilateral trade agreement that is expected to provide relief to India from the Trump administration's whopping 50 per cent tariffs on Indian goods.
In a social media post, Modi had described the conversation as "warm and engaging".
"We reviewed the progress in our bilateral relations and discussed regional and international developments. India and the US will continue to work together for global peace, stability and prosperity," Modi had said without making any reference to trade ties.
