MUMBAI: Ex-MP (Rajya Sabha and vice-president of All India Muslim Personal Law Board Maulana Obaidullah Khan Azmi has said Muslims would oppose the Waqf (Amendment) Act, 2025 till the time the Centre withdraws it.
Recuperating from an illness at a Central Mumbai hospital, Azmi said the BJP-lef NDA government had committed a big mistake by ignoring appeals of the community not to “bulldoze” the law which is undemocratic and unconstitutional.
“This law has been brought to usurp the Waqf properties. The JPC ignored the suggestions opposition members made in the bill and now this has become a law which can pavement way for grabbing of the Waqf properties,” alleged Azmi.
A few days ahead of introduction of the controversial bill in the Lok Sabha, Azmi was among the leaders who had addressed a protest meeting at Jantar Mantar in New Delhi. Soon after the end of that event, Azmi fell ill and rushed to Mumbai where he was hospitalized for a health issue.
A former Rajya Sabha member, Azmi is a noted Islamic scholar and a forceful orator. He had found many takers for his speeches during the Babri Masjid-Ramjanambhoomi dispute in the late 1980s. He is an influential Sunni alim (scholar) and has a wide following.
Mahim Samaritan and activist Mudassar Patel who was among those who visited Azmi in hospital said that the encroachment of Waqf properties is not new and the Amendment Law can make a difference only if it got the encroachments removed. He asked the community members to stay calm and not to get provoked by the passing of the Waqf Amendment Law, 2025. “Protest is a democratic right but it should be non-violent and peaceful. Any violence while the community protests will be counter productive,” said Patel.
