Clamour intensifies against Waqf Amendment Act, protest in Hyderabad
Over 400 people, including women and children, gathered at Dharna Chowk, Indira Park, on Saturday afternoon to protest against the Waqf Amendment Act. The rally was organised by the Telangana Muslim Joint Action Committee (JAC).
People took part in the protest by holding placards and listening to speeches conveying growing concerns over the Act.
JAC convenor and Tehreek Muslim Shabban president Mohammed Mushtaq Malik criticised the 'systematic weakening of Muslim institutions' and urged political parties and civil society groups to support the resistance. The provisions of the new law would pave the way for a greater State control over religious endowments, he said.
Describing the legislation as more far-reaching than earlier concerns over the CAA and NRC, Mr. Malik questioned the removal of community-specific safeguards and provisions allowing non-Muslim appointments to Waqf Boards. He also emphasised the need for the All India Muslim Personal Law Board to maintain political neutrality if it intends to lead a credible movement against the Act.
Mahila Congress vice-president from Khairatabad Asma Ibrahim requested the public to participate in such marches to show their support against the law. 'The Modi government is after the Waqf Bill to target us. We should not let them do this discrimination to us. I request my fellow sisters to join us in this protest,' she said.
Leaders from various political parties, including Congress, BRS, MBT and Telangana Jana Samithi, were present.
Former PCC president V. Hanumantha Rao, former minister Mohammed Ali Shabbir, MBT president Majeedullah Khan Farhat, BRS leader Shaik Abdullah Sohail, former MP Aziz Pasha, MLC Kodandaram, Waqf Board chairman Syed Azmatullah Hussaini, and Haj Committee chairman Khusro Pasha Biyabani, took part.
Central Zone police cordoned off the area with a 300-metre security perimeter to prevent any untoward incident.
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