Shabbir Ali leads protest in Nizamabad against Waqf Amendment Act, says BJP wants to ‘snatch away Muslim assets’

Nizamabad Urban: On Sunday, Telangana Government Advisor and senior Congress leader Mohammed Ali Shabbir led a massive protest rally in Nizamabad town against the recently passed Waqf Amendment Act, 2025.

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Addressing a gathering of thousands, Shabbir Ali launched a blistering attack on the BJP-led Central Government, accusing it of attempting to seize control of Muslim religious assets and institutions under the guise of legal reform.

Shabbir Ali called the Act “unconstitutional, anti-minority, and a dangerous assault on the fundamental rights of Muslims,” asserting that it was part of a broader agenda to disempower the community socially, economically, and religiously.

“This is not about reform. This is a carefully planned conspiracy by the BJP Government to snatch away Waqf properties that were donated over centuries for the welfare of the Muslim community. The amendments give sweeping powers to District Collectors to survey and control these properties, bypassing the Waqf Boards. This is a direct violation of our constitutional and religious rights,” he said.

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He particularly objected to the amendment that allows non-Muslims to be appointed as members of the Waqf Board. “Waqf institutions are meant for the benefit of Muslims. Until now, only Muslims could be part of the Board, and that was in keeping with the spirit of Waqf. What justification is there to allow people from other faiths to manage our religious and charitable institutions?” he asked.

Shabbir Ali, one of the petitioners challenging the Act in the Supreme Court, informed the crowd that he had filed the case at his own expense following the direction of senior Congress leader Rahul Gandhi and Chief Minister A Revanth Reddy. “We will fight this Act not just on the streets but also in the courts. I have full faith in the Constitution and the Supreme Court. We will not allow this law to be implemented under any circumstances,” he declared.

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He further said that during the hearing on 17 April, the Supreme Court took serious note of the concerns raised and granted interim relief by staying certain provisions of the Act, including the controversial transfer of powers to District Collectors. “This is a positive step. The next hearing is scheduled for 5 May, and we are confident that the court will strike down this draconian law,” he added.

Referring to the arguments made before the apex court, Shabbir Ali said, “Our senior advocates Kapil Sibal and Salman Khurshid clearly explained how the Act violates Articles 25 and 26 of the Constitution. One of the most dangerous changes is the removal of the concept of ‘Waqf by user’. This concept protects religious properties that have been used for community or religious purposes for decades, even if they were not formally recorded. Now, the Centre wants to erase this historical and religious recognition.”

He warned that thousands of mosques, graveyards, dargahs, and community properties across India would be at risk if the amended Act is implemented. “This is an organised attempt to take away our heritage. The BJP is not reforming Waqf; it is trying to capture it,” he alleged.

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Shabbir Ali also linked the Act to a larger pattern of what he called the BJP Government’s divisive and communal policies. “From CAA to NRC, from bulldozer politics to targeting of madrasas, the BJP has shown time and again that it has no respect for minorities. This Waqf Amendment Act is another tool in their campaign to marginalise Muslims and polarise the country,” he said.

Calling for unity and vigilance, he urged people across the state and the country to continue the peaceful struggle. “This is not just a legal issue, it is about the future of our community. We will stand together, fight together, and ensure that justice prevails,” he said. (Maxim News)

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