Muslim Groups Unite Against Waqf Amendment Act: Legal and Peaceful Resistance Planned Nationwide

Legal Front to Lead the Charge in Delhi

In response to the recently passed Waqf Amendment Act, 2025, a wave of unified opposition has emerged among major Muslim organizations across India. As part of a coordinated effort to protest the legislation, several legal and civil rights groups have come together to chart out a peaceful and constitutionally guided path of resistance. On April 24, the Association for Protection of Civil Rights (APCR), backed by Jamaat-e-Islami’s legal wing, will host a "Waqf Protection Conference" at the India Islamic Centre in Delhi. The event aims to bring legal minds and community leaders together to strategize over the next steps.

Although Maulana Arshad Madani, President of Jamiat Ulema-e-Hind, will not attend due to health concerns, his message will be read aloud by senior members of the organization. His absence notwithstanding, the event is expected to draw prominent legal experts and religious scholars committed to defending community rights through legal frameworks.

Nationwide Mobilization in Coming Weeks

Beyond Delhi, the campaign is set to intensify over the next fortnight with a series of state-level conferences and symbolic protests. On April 26, Kolkata will host a regional Waqf Protection Conference, followed by a similar gathering in Maharashtra on April 27. Further amplifying the protest, a unique nationwide “Blackout Program” is scheduled for April 30, during which Muslim households across the country will switch off their lights at 9 PM as a peaceful show of dissent.

Key Meetings Rescheduled to Delhi

Initially planned in Deoband, the Jamiat Ulema-e-Hind’s executive meetings on May 3 and 4 will now take place in Delhi, underscoring the central role the capital is playing in this movement. On May 1, community leaders will convene in Jamshedpur to expand the protest's reach. The movement is expected to peak on May 7 with a massive gathering at Delhi's Ramlila Maidan, anticipated to draw thousands of participants from across India.

Madani Urges Peaceful, Legal Protest

Maulana Arshad Madani has publicly advised restraint, urging the community to avoid street demonstrations that may escalate tensions. Stressing the importance of legal recourse, he reaffirmed that the Muslim community’s struggle should remain within the boundaries of law and order. According to Madani, current national circumstances make it vital to exercise caution, as any disruption could be counterproductive.

Legislation Turned Law on April 5

The Waqf Amendment Bill was tabled in Parliament on April 2 and passed after intense debate in both houses. President Droupadi Murmu signed the bill into law on April 5. Critics argue that the law undermines the rights of the Waqf boards and weakens community control over religious endowments, sparking widespread concern among Muslim institutions.