Muslim organisations in Tamil Nadu launch statewide protests against Waqf Act
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Fifteen Muslim organisations in Tamil Nadu have come together to launch a state-wide campaign titled “Save Waqf, Save the Constitution”, opposing the recently passed Waqf (Amendment) Bill, 2025.
The protest movement gained momentum following the Union government’s statement in the Supreme Court that Waqf is not an essential part of Islam.
The initiative is led by the All India Muslim Personal Law Board (AIMPLWB), and includes groups such as the Indian Union Muslim League, Tamil Nadu Muslim Munnetra Kazhagam, Jamat-e-Islami Hind, India Towheed Jaamat, and All India Milli Council, among others. The groups are calling for continuous protests and demonstrations until the Bill is repealed.
At a press conference held on May 22 at the Chennai Press Club, Papanasam MLA M H Jawahirullah announced that a major public gathering would be organised on June 13, featuring state leaders from the Congress, TMC, DMK, the Left Front, and other parties that opposed the Bill in Parliament.
“These amendments are discriminatory and violate the fundamental rights enshrined in the Constitution of India. Furthermore, they appear to be part of a larger conspiracy to seize and destroy Muslim Waqf properties. Utilising its numerical strength in Parliament, the ruling BJP government has enforced arbitrary and unjust amendments to the Waqf Act, disregarding the sentiments and rights of crores of Muslims, minorities, and justice-loving citizens across the country,” the AIMPLWB stated in a press release.
Jawahirullah compared the situation to the controversial farm laws, saying, “The BJP has brought this Bill to the parliament only because they have a majority. They had brought the three farm laws in the same manner, but the Modi government had to repeal them in the face of popular protest.”
He also underlined the religious significance of Waqf within Islam. “As far as Islam is concerned, charity or zakat is as integral as the Ramzan fast or the Hajj pilgrimage. It has existed since the Holy Prophet Muhammad asked Usman to give up his well for the use of the people.”
The MLA further highlighted that Waqf properties are often used for broader public benefit, not just within the Muslim community. Citing the MSS Waqf Board College in Madurai, he noted that the majority of students enrolled there are non-Muslims.
He also raised concerns over the demand for ownership documents for mosques, many of which were constructed long ago without official paperwork. “There are no documents to register. So they plan to declare mosques as not Waqf and steal them. The Babri Masjid was destroyed openly. Now they plan to legally destroy many mosques,” he warned.
The AIMPLWB has announced that rallies and gatherings will be held across Madurai, Tirunelveli, Tiruchirappally, Vaniyambady, and Coimbatore over the next three months under the Save Waqf Save Constitution campaign.
The Waqf (Amendment) Bill, 2025 was passed in both Houses of Parliament.