Thousands gather at Central Library ground to protest new Waqf law

Bhopal: Thousands gathered to protest the Waqf Amendment Act in Bhopal on Thursday.The protestors cited several key concerns regarding the proposed amendments: altering fundamental Waqf principles, replacing Waqf Board elections with nominations, government seizure of disputed Waqf properties, excluding ASI-protected sites from Waqf status, imposing limitations on Waqf property claims, requiring five years of practicing Muslim faith for Waqf involvement, removing the Muslim requirement for Waqf Board chairs, allowing non-Muslim Waqf Board members, granting District Magistrates authority over disputed Waqf properties, abolishing the Waqf Tribunal and eliminating historical Waqf property recognition "By User." The afternoon gathering took place at Central Library grounds. It included All India Muslim Personal Law Board member and MLA Arif Masood along with and Bhopal Sher Qazi Syed Mushtaq Ali Nadvi. The protest concluded with prayers for peace. Masood said, "The Waqf Amendment Act is being opposed because the Waqf Amendment Bill 2025 is a despicable conspiracy of the Union government, which aims to deprive Muslims of their graveyards and charitable institutions." He expressed concern that the law could lead to the loss of mosques, Idgahs, madrasas, graveyards and other religious and social service institutions. Masood argued the amendments would primarily benefit the government and illegal occupants, potentially sparking disputes. Other speakers at the protest included Sher Qazi Nadvi, Babar Hussain Nadvi, Ali Qadar Nadvi, Rais Ahmed Khan Qasmi, Sharafat Rahmani, Mohammad Ahmed Khan, Haroon Khan, Hamid Khan, Umar Khan, Nooruddin Sakleini, Masih Alam, and Zakaullah Shibli.