Nationwide ‘Lights Off’ Protest Today Against Waqf Amendment Act, Says AIMPLB and Owaisi
Hyderabad, April 30: The All India Muslim Personal Law Board (AIMPLB) has announced a nationwide protest today against the recently enacted Waqf (Amendment) Act, 2025. As part of the protest, titled ‘Batti Gul Andolan’, the AIMPLB has urged citizens across India to switch off their lights from 9:00 PM to 9:15 PM tonight to express dissent.
The protest has received strong backing from Hyderabad MP and AIMIM president Asaduddin Owaisi, who called on residents of Hyderabad and others nationwide to participate in this symbolic demonstration. “I request everyone to switch off the lights in your homes and businesses to register peaceful protest against a law that goes against our constitutional values,” Owaisi said in a video statement.
The AIMPLB and Owaisi allege that the Waqf Amendment Act infringes upon the constitutional rights of Muslims, particularly Articles 14, 15, 25, and 26, which guarantee equality and religious freedom. “This is a black law that interferes with the autonomy of Muslim religious institutions. It violates the spirit of the Constitution and hurts the sentiments of the community,” Owaisi added.
The ‘lights off’ protest is part of a broader campaign titled ‘Save Waqf, Save Constitution’, which began with a massive public rally in Hyderabad on April 19. Held at AIMIM’s headquarters in Darussalam, the event saw participation from thousands of people, including leaders from multiple political parties such as the Congress and Bharat Rashtra Samithi (BRS).
According to the AIMPLB, more such protests will be organized across Telangana and Andhra Pradesh in the coming weeks to mobilize public support and challenge the Act legally.
The Waqf (Amendment) Bill was introduced in Parliament earlier this month—tabled in the Lok Sabha on April 2 and the Rajya Sabha on April 3. It was passed by both Houses and received Presidential assent on April 5, making it an official law. The Act has since been challenged in the Supreme Court by several prominent individuals and organizations, including Owaisi.
The AIMPLB has urged citizens, especially those from the Muslim community, to come together in peaceful protest and stand up for their rights. “This is not just a protest—it’s a call to protect our constitutional freedoms,” said an AIMPLB spokesperson.
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