Resuming its opposition to the amended Waqf Act following a brief pause after the Pahalgam attack and Operation Sindoor, the All India Muslim Personal Law Board (AIMPLB) convened a roundtable in Hyderabad on Sunday. The meeting, which brought together political leaders, scholars, and civil society representatives, marked the beginning of a renewed nationwide campaign against what the board claims is a targeted assault on the Muslim minority.
Dr. SQR Ilyas, national spokesperson for the AIMPLB and convenor of the All India Save Waqf Campaign, announced a series of large-scale public events aimed at mobilizing public opinion and raising awareness about the controversial amendments. The campaign will span several key states, with prominent gatherings planned in Telangana, Maharashtra, and Bihar.
Telangana
In Hyderabad, a major women-focused rally is scheduled for May 22, expected to draw over 100,000 participants. Senior AIMPLB leaders, parliamentarians, and women’s wing representatives will address the crowd. Warangal will host another large rally on May 20, also anticipating over 100,000 attendees, while a district-wide meeting is planned in Nizamabad on May 30.
Maharashtra
Jalgaon will see a public meeting on May 23, with an estimated turnout of 70,000 to 80,000 people. A multi-faith event in Nanded is set for May 24, with speakers and attendees from Hindu and Sikh communities. A landmark rally is also planned in Aurangabad on May 25 in the Marathwada region, where over 200,000 people are expected to gather, potentially breaking previous attendance records.
Bihar
Collaborating with Imarat Shariah Bihar-Odisha and other regional organisations, the AIMPLB has lined up events in cities including Patna, Kishanganj, Araria, Bhagalpur, Begusarai, Saharsa, Madhubani, Siwan, and Darbhanga.
Public mobilisation is also gaining momentum in other states such as Kerala, Tamil Nadu, Andhra Pradesh, Gujarat, Rajasthan, Jharkhand, and West Bengal—where earlier events were postponed due to national developments.
Dr. Ilyas said the campaign aims to counter what the board views as “malicious” and “unconstitutional” amendments, claiming they disproportionately target the Muslim community. He added that the events are designed not only to raise awareness but also to challenge misinformation surrounding the legislation.
He further expressed hope that the Supreme Court would grant interim relief on the contentious changes, with a hearing scheduled for May 20.
