A human chain protest was organised in Hyderabad on Sunday to voice their opposition against the Waqf (Amendment) Act. The protest, held in response to a call by the All India Muslim Personal Law Board (AIMPLB) was backed by the AIMIM, with party MLA Akbaruddin Owaisi participating in the demonstration.
The protest stretched from Masjid-e-Bilal in Toli Chowki to Reti Bowli, covering a distance of around two kilometres, according to AIMIM MLA Kausar Mohiuddin, adding there was a “strong turnout” from the community members and concerned citizens.
The human chain aimed to raise awareness among the people and urge the central government to reconsider and roll back the proposed amendments, Mohidduin said.
“The initiative was actively carried out under the leadership and support of the AIMIM Karwan Constituency, which mobilized participants and emphasised the significance of protecting Waqf properties and institutions from perceived threats posed by the amendment. Participants held placards and banners calling for the protection of Waqf rights, chanting slogans in a peaceful and democratic manner to register their dissent,” he wrote on X.
Similar protests against the Waqf Act were held across various locations in Telangana and Andhra Pradesh.
The Centre notified the Waqf (Amendment) Act, 2025 last month after it got President Droupadi Murmu’s assent on April 5.
The bill was cleared by the Lok Sabha with the support of 288 members, while 232 MPs were against it. The Rajya Sabha saw 128 members voting in its favour and 95 against it.
Opposition parties have criticised the new Waqf law, calling it unconstitutional and discriminatory towards Muslims, and have challenged the legislation in the Supreme Court. However, the Centre has maintained it was not an anti-Muslim measure and the new legislation was aimed at improving transparency in managing Waqf properties.
(with inputs from PTI)