Interfaith gathering opposes Waqf, Bodh Gaya Temple Acts
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Nagpur: Prominent voices from both the Muslim and Buddhist communities on Sunday called for mass movement against the implementation of the Waqf Amendment Act, 2025 and the Bodh Gaya Temple Act.
Representatives from both communities had gathered under one roof at an interfaith conference on Constitutional Rights organised by the All India Muslim Personal Law Board (AIMPLB) and the Bharatiya Bhagidari Mission (BBM) at the Babasaheb Ambedkar International Convention Centre, Teka.
The speakers alleged that the recent amendments infringed on the fundamental rights of religious freedom and the autonomy of religious institutions under Articles 25 and 26 of the Indian Constitution.
Key speakers included AIMPLB spokesperson Qasim Rasul Ilyas, AIMPLB general secretary Moulana Fazlur Rahim Mujaddidi, advocate Suresh Mane (founder-president, BBM), advocate Firdos Mirza and advocate Bhupendra Raipure. Ilyas called for a mass movement against the Act just like the farmers' protest in 2021 against the farm laws. "We must be prepared for a mass movement to ensure these discriminatory laws are rolled back, if not by this govt, then by the next govt," he said.
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Dr Vinod Rangari, district president of BBM, initiated the discussion followed by an introductory address by Abdul Rauf Shaikh, former CEO of the Maharashtra Waqf Board, who highlighted the object of the interfaith conference. Adv Mirza spoke on the constitutional rights of minorities. Qasim Rasul Ilyas offered a detailed critique of the Waqf Amendment Act 2025.
Advocate Raipure shed light on the Bodh Gaya Temple Act.
Dr Ravindra Mane called the gathering a new beginning in interfaith unity. Moulana Muzaddidi, in his presidential address, emphasised the need for peaceful protest against "unconstitutional laws".
Dr Aves Hasan conducted the proceedings while Moulana Abdul Wahab Parekh delivered a vote of thanks. The programme concluded with a dua by Moulana Siraj Ahmed Qasmi. Mufti Abdul Qadir, Maulana Mustafa and Mufti Sabir among others were present. Hanif Patel, Irshad, Rafiq, Atiq Qureshi and members of CSRI and ASRA Foundations played a key role in ensuring the success of the meet.
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