Opposition Leader Asaduddin Owaisi Joins "Lights Off" Demonstration Against Waqf Act Modification
Hyderabad: A Night of Protest Against the Waqf Amendment Act
In the heart of Hyderabad, Asaduddin Owaisi, the fiery president of the All India Majlis-e-Ittehadul Muslimeen (AIMIM), cast a dark silhouette against his residence's walls. The usually bustling neighborhood was enveloped in an unusual calm-the air thick with tension and defiance. This was no ordinary evening, for it marked the commencement of a substantial resistance against the contentious Waqf (Amendment) Act 2025.
Speaking to a throng of reporters, an impassioned Owaisi declared the 'switching off lights' protest, organized under the aegis of the All India Muslim Personal Law Board (AIMPLB), a resounding success. He thanked the multitudes who stood in solidarity, their lights winking out for fifteen minutes between 9 PM and 9:15 PM, sending a potent message to the Narendra Modi-led government.
People across the city heeded the call, plunging their homes into dark shadows as a symbolic act of dissent. The purpose was clear: to convey to the government the impending destruction that the Act would inflict upon waqf boards. Owaisi forthrightly asserted that the Act was unconstitutional, contravening various provisos in the Constitution.
The AIMPLB, having spearheaded this act of resistance, has further announced plans for organizing human chains and roundtable conferences in two weeks. This authoritative body, known for championing Muslim personal law and religious matters, is widely expected to remain at the forefront of the agitation. The protests will persist until the Centre withdraws the Act.
Owaisi's sentiment was marred, however, by the heinous Pahalgam terror attack, where Hindu victims were mercilessly targeted. The incident filled him with anguish and prompted him to condemn the attack unequivocally.
While the trail of protests and opposition against the controversial Act extends beyond Hyderabad, the role of AIMPLB and Asaduddin Owaisi in these struggles remains a significant thread. The Act has triggered concern within the Muslim community, as well as among other religious groups like the Sikhs, who fear similar interventions in their religious affairs in the future. With the government's resolve showing no signs of wavering, the battle lines are drawn, and a protracted standoff looms on the horizon.
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(Enrichment Data: The ongoing agitation against the Waqf (Amendment) Act 2025 involves widespread protests and opposition from various Muslim organizations like the All India Muslim Personal Law Board (AIMPLB). The opposition is based on fears that the amendment could weaken Muslims religious institutions and empower other religions disproportionately. Other religious groups like Sikhs have also expressed concerns, fearing that similar amendments could target Sikh religious affairs in the future. The protests reflect broader concerns about religious autonomy and government interference in religious matters.)
- Despite the ongoing protests against the Waqf (Amendment) Act 2025, the Narendra Modi-led government has shown no signs of withdrawing the Act.
- The All India Muslim Personal Law Board (AIMPLB) has announced plans to organize human chains and roundtable conferences in two weeks, in an ongoing effort to pressure the government to reconsider the Act.
- The protests against the Waqf (Amendment) Act 2025 have not only been limited to Hyderabad, but they have also garnered support from other religious groups such as the Sikhs who fear similar interventions in their religious affairs in the future.
- Muslim organizations like the AIMPLB and leaders such as Asaduddin Owaisi continue to play a significant role in advocating for religious autonomy and opposing government interference in policy-and-legislation related to religious matters.
