New Delhi, April 12: Maulana Sajid Rashidi, President of the All India Imam Association (AIIA), on Saturday appealed to Muslims across the country not to protest against the recently passed Waqf (Amendment) Act, emphasising the importance of peace and education over unrest.

Maulana Sajid Rashidi said that the Waqf Bill has now become law. “I don’t find anything in it that warrants taking to the streets. Yes, there are individuals who seem to want riots in the country, like Asaduddin Owaisi. His statements suggest that Muslims should rise and protest, warning of conspiracies to take away mosques. This kind of rhetoric, in my opinion, is aimed at inciting communal unrest,” he said.

He alleged that Owaisi’s thinking is that there should be unrest in the country so that he can emerge as ‘Jinnah’ and form another country.

He further criticised leaders and organisations he believes are provoking unrest for personal or political gain.

“Some of these people who are protesting have vast properties. Be it Owaisi in Hyderabad or members of the All India Muslim Personal Law Board with land holdings in Rajasthan and Delhi – they are not representing the common Muslim. They are exploiting the situation for their benefit,” he said.

Maulana Rashidi expressed concern over the recent violence in Murshidabad, West Bengal, where protests turned violent, leading to arson and destruction of public property.

“Crowds are difficult to control once they are on the streets. We’ve seen what can happen – vehicles are burned, people get hurt, and chaos ensues. Protesting is a constitutional right, but it must be done peacefully. Taking to the streets only risks painting Muslims as troublemakers once again,” he added.

He further urged Muslims to shift focus toward progress and education.

“This is not the time to get arrested or invite trouble. Instead, we should concentrate on education, business, and national development. Other communities don’t take to the streets every time they disagree with a government decision. Why should only Muslims be pushed to do so?” he asked.

Reaffirming his support for the Waqf (Amendment) Act, Maulana Rashidi said: “I supported the Act then, and I support it now. Why should Muslims oppose it just because someone tells us to? We are citizens of this country and have contributed immensely to its freedom. Over 37,000 Muslims are named in the records of revolutionaries at the National Museum. Why should we be labeled as stone-pelters or terrorists?”

He further reacted to West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee’s recent statement that the Waqf Act would not be implemented in the state.

“No Chief Minister or individual has the authority to reject a law passed by Parliament and signed by the President. Such defiance is unconstitutional and amounts to treason. These are just vote-bank politics aimed at inciting Muslims. The Opposition is playing a dangerous game by trying to bring Muslims onto the streets.”

Maulana Rashidi concluded by appealing for introspection within the community.

“Why is the Opposition asking Muslims to protest? Have you seen any party saying, ‘Let Hindus join us on the streets too’? No. They just want Muslims to protest, and we end up paying the price. The Constitution does not allow selective implementation of laws. Muslims must think wisely, stay calm, and look at the bigger picture,” he said.

He further advised the community to reassess its political choices.

“For 60 years, Muslims supported Congress and other parties, yet we still feel marginalised. Why not give the BJP a chance for five years? If it doesn’t work, we can make another choice,” he concluded.

Lucknow, April 12: Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) supremo Mayawati has launched a broadside on Lok Sabha Leader of Opposition (LoP) Rahul Gandhi over his silence during the debate on the Waqf (Amendment) Bill.

Drawing parallels with the controversial Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA), she alleged that LoP Gandhi’s silence has triggered resentment among the Muslim community.

Taking to X on Saturday, Mayawati questioned the Congress MP’s inaction.

“Is it appropriate for the Leader of Opposition to remain silent during the lengthy debate on the Waqf (Amendment) Bill in the Lok Sabha? Especially when the Opposition has flagged it as a violation of constitutional provisions — just like the CAA? The Muslim community’s anger over this silence is only natural. This has also created discomfort within the INDIA bloc,” she wrote.

The BSP leader further accused both the Congress and the BJP of betraying the interests of marginalised communities.

“Parties like the Congress and BJP are equally responsible for undermining the rights of Bahujans by rendering their reservations ineffective — both in government employment and in education. Religious minorities should also be cautious of their hollow promises,” she said.

The former UP Chief Minister further added that such policies have worsened the condition of Bahujans in Uttar Pradesh.

“Bahujans are facing distress in every sector while BJP workers act with impunity. The growing privatisation of electricity and other public sectors is adding to the problems. The government must uphold its constitutional duty to ensure public welfare,” she said.

The Waqf Amendment Bill, 2025, which was passed by both Houses of Parliament and received the assent of President Droupadi Murmu, has now become law.

However, the legislation has sparked opposition from Congress, AIMIM, and Aam Aadmi Party (AAP). They have all filed separate petitions in the Supreme Court challenging its constitutional validity.

Meanwhile, protests against the new law have erupted in various parts of the country. In Uttar Pradesh, the police remain on alert amid heightened tensions.

Religious leaders have urged the Muslim community to maintain peace and avoid any form of violent demonstration. Several Opposition parties have also expressed their support for the ongoing protests.

Srinagar, April 11: Senior separatist and religious leader Mirwaiz Umar Farooq, on Friday, alleged that authorities had placed him under house arrest in Jammu and Kashmir’s Srinagar, thereby preventing him from delivering his weekly sermon and offering prayers at the Jamia Masjid.

Mirwaiz Umar said on X, “Yet again, this Friday put under house arrest and barred from offering prayers at Jama Masjid. It’s is both heartbreaking and outrageous that authorities continue to trample on my basic religious rights – at their will. The resolution formulated by MMU -the meeting of which was also not allowed, against the Waqf Amendment Act will be read out today in mosques, shrines, and Imambaras across J&K”.

Two days ago, the authorities had disallowed the meeting of the Mutahida Majlis Ulema (MMU) — an amalgamation of religious organisations in the Valley headed by Mirwaiz — convened at the residence of his residence. The meeting was called to discuss the fallout of the Waqf Amendment Act.

The Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) recently banned the Awami Action Committee (AAC) headed by Mirwaiz Umar for five years. The MHA order said that the AAC was a secessionist organisation indulging in anti-national activities and encouraging youths to resort to violence.

The ACC was formed in 1963 by the late Mirwaiz Maulana Mohammad Farooq during the Holy Relic agitation.

After the elder Mirwaiz was assassinated by terrorists in 1990 in his uptown Nigeen residence in Srinagar city, the ACC came to be headed by his son, Mirwaiz Umar Farooq.

In another order, the MHA also banned for five years the Ittihadul Muslimeen headed by Maulvi Masroor Abbas. The organisation was banned for its activities against the state and for acting in a manner prejudicial to the interests of the country.

The organisation was part of the separatist Hurriyat Conference and was headed by Maulvi Abbas Ansari, the senior Shia Muslim leader. After the death of Maulvi Abbas, his son, Maulvi Masoor Ansari, headed the Ittihadul Muslimeen.

The Mirwaiz is head of the moderate Hurriyat Conference, which was formed in 2003 when the Hurriyat Conference split into two groups — the hardline group headed by late Syed Ali Shah Geelani and the moderate group headed by Mirwaiz Umar. However, several of its associate outfits are distancing themselves and are pledging loyalty to the constitution of India.