Latest news with #Imarat-e-Shariah
The Print
04-07-2025
- Politics
- The Print
Religious autonomy isn't absolute. Imarat-e-Shariah protest in Patna sidelined Pasmandas
I fully agree that every Indian has the right to free speech and peaceful protest, as guaranteed by our Constitution. But the argument surrounding religious autonomy is far more complicated than it seems. This notion of autonomy isn't about personal religious practice—it's about collective and organisational control. Speakers at the rally claimed that the Waqf Amendment Act crushes not only the Islamic principle of Waqf (charitable endowment) but also assaults the very core of religious autonomy. Faisal Wali Rahmani , head of Imarat-e-Shariah, made it clear: the Act is a dangerous overreach that jeopardises the community's ability to govern its own affairs. 'This conference,' he declared, 'is a peaceful, constitutional demand to roll back this draconian legislation.' His words rang out as a challenge to those who would allow such overreach to stand unchecked. Imarat-e-Shariah, a strong socio-religious group with a big influence on a section of Indian Muslims, organised a huge protest on 29 June at Patna's Gandhi Maidan. The rally, named 'Waqf Bachao, Samvidhan Bachao – Save Waqf, Save the Constitution' – quickly gained momentum, with thousands of Muslim protesters from Bihar and nearby states vocally condemning the Waqf Act amendment as a violation of both constitutional rights and religious freedom. This was not just a protest; it was a firm declaration against a law perceived as an infringement on fundamental freedoms—freedoms that many believe must be protected at all costs. The idea that a religious group should have the unrestricted right to manage its own affairs raises some troubling questions. First, does this imply that such a group is somehow separate, not truly a part of the larger nation? Second, is there not a risk in projecting this image of self-containment—as though the community exists outside the national fabric? The implications are far more profound than they may appear. What if every community or tribe starts to argue that no one has the right to interfere in their affairs, claiming that their practices and core values are above the reach of national laws or human rights? Imagine a community that argues the government should have no say in child marriage, defending it as a matter of religious or cultural tradition. Would such a stance be accepted simply because it aligns with the idea that each group should be able to uphold its own values? Surely, we would not accept such practices under the guise of religious freedom. At what point do we draw the line between protecting religious rights and ensuring that these practices don't violate basic human rights or endanger individuals? The core issue is whether any belief or practice—no matter how deeply rooted in religion or culture—can be allowed to override the fundamental principles of justice, equality, and human dignity. No unfettered freedoms When leaders of the Muslim community, or any religious group, invoke the Constitution, they often present it as though it grants them an unfettered right to religious freedom—one that allows them to manage their affairs without interference from the state, its legislature, or its judiciary. But what is overlooked is that this right to religious freedom is not absolute or separate from other constitutional values. It exists within a broader framework that includes human rights, equality, and justice for all citizens. The Constitution, in its design, ensures religious freedom—but it does so with the understanding that such freedom must never come at the expense of the dignity or rights of others. This means that the Constitution's values—those of equality and justice—must always take precedence over any individual or collective religious right when they begin to infringe on these fundamental principles. Once we are clear on this, we can oppose Waqf amendments that we believe infringe upon our rights. Also read: Indian Muslims are hiding their dowry practice in a Sharia loophole Ashraaf-dominated discourse The idea that any community has the inherent right to manage its own affairs solely under the umbrella of constitutional rights is a dangerous one. As I make this distinction, it is crucial to point out some things. While the Patna protest may be framed as a defence of constitutional rights, the very organisation leading it—Imarat-e-Shariah—operates a parallel system within the Muslim Personal Law framework despite lacking formal judicial authority. The argument often put forward is that these bodies deal with matters like marriage, divorce, inheritance, and Waqf when all parties involved consent to the process. However, we all know the reality of social pressure within Indian Muslim society. In practice, these institutions often function without any regard for constitutional values that guarantee equality and human rights for all citizens, particularly women. This contradiction is visible when they invoke the Constitution to protect their own interest but fail to understand the very values it stands for. The Constitution is not just meant to protect religious autonomy and the collective religious right of a community; it is also supposed to protect the fundamental rights of every individual, regardless of their religion or background. Moreover, such protests and gatherings only represent a section of Indian Muslims – not each and every one of us. These events are led mostly by elite Ashraaf Muslims, with Pasmandas being utilised as mob followers. It is disheartening to see how these institutions, controlled by Ashraafs, continue to use Pasmandas as pawns in their own power negotiations while claiming to represent the community as a whole. Take, for example, the claims made during this protest. Faisal Wali Rahmani warned that after the Waqf Board amendment, anyone could lay claim to Muslim religious sites: 'If tomorrow someone demands archaeological proof of religious symbols or history on Ashokan pillars or ancient monuments, what will be the criteria for preservation?' Such rhetoric is more about fearmongering than factual understanding, distracting from the real issues at hand and muddying the waters with speculation and confusion. Amana Begam Ansari is a columnist, writer, and TV news panellist. She runs a weekly YouTube show called 'India This Week by Amana and Khalid'. She tweets @Amana_Ansari. Views are personal. (Edited by Zoya Bhatti)
Indian Express
03-07-2025
- Politics
- Indian Express
Why Bihar is witnessing fresh protests against amended Waqf Act
Last Sunday, thousands of people gathered at Patna's Gandhi Maidan to protest against the Waqf (Amendment) Act, 2025. The Waqf Act has been challenged in court, and the Supreme Court in May, after hearing multiple petitions, reserved its decision on the law. So why are protests in Bihar heating up now? We explain. The Patna rally The rally in Patna on June 29 was organised by Imarat-e-Shariah, one of the largest socio-education-religious body of Muslims in India. Imrat-e-Shariah chief Faisal Rahmani, who heads the organisation's operations in Bihar, Jharkhand, Odisha, and West Bengal, said that though the amendments to the 1995 Waqf law have been passed in Parliament, he does not believe all is lost yet. 'If the Centre can take back the three farm laws because of overwhelming protest from farmers, the same thing can happen with the Waqf amendments. The changes in the new Act are facing heavy resistance in several states,' Rahmani said. The Imarat-e-Shariah says that as the Centre dismissed 300-plus representations about the amendments, it has now decided to summarily reject the amended Act, demanding reinstatement of the Waqf Act, 1995. Rahmani pointed out that is is difficult to furnish documents proving Waqf ownership of old properties, and asked if the Centre would demand similar paperwork for the places of worship of other religions. He called the amendnents an 'attack on brotherhood and citizenry.' Why has the Muslim body chosen Bihar as the main ground for protest? Bihar has over 17 per cent Muslim population, usually believed to be the constituency of the RJD and the Congress. The state goes to polls in a few months, and the Opposition parties are trying to capitalise on the anti-Waqf Act sentiments. Plus, the Imarat-e-Shariah has traditionally had a strong presence in Bihar from the time of its former chief the late Wali Rahmani, who founded the popular coaching programme Rahmani30 in 2008. The organisation has been getting direct and indirect support from non-NDA parties, especially from the RJD. Leader of Opposition Tejashwi Yadav had been the main speaker at the Gandhi Maidan rally, which was very well-attended. What next? Now that it has held a successful rally in Bihar, the Imarat-e-Shariah plans to revisit its district units in Bihar, West Bengal, Jharkhand, and Odisha to further intensify the protests at ground levels. It also plans to interact with like-minded bodies from UP, Maharashtra and other states to consider a rally at a bigger level, preferably in New Delhi. In the legal challenges to the amendments, some key issues were flagged. The first was the doing away of the concept of 'Waqf by use', which means that land used for Muslim religious or charitable purposes for a long time can be deemed to be a Waqf even if it is not registered as such. The inclusion of non-Muslims in Waqf boards; the District Collector getting powers to decide that a Waqf property is government property; and allowing the applicability of the Limitation Act with respect to Waqf properties — which would prevent the Waqf board from making legal claims, like opposing encroachment, about a property after a certain period had elapsed — are among the other changes being opposed. In April, the Centre assured the Centre that it would pause the doing away of the 'Waqf by use' provision and inclusion of non-Muslims on Waqf boards. Santosh Singh is a Senior Assistant Editor with The Indian Express since June 2008. He covers Bihar with main focus on politics, society and governance. Investigative and explanatory stories are also his forte. Singh has 25 years of experience in print journalism covering Bihar, Delhi, Madhya Pradesh and Karnataka. ... Read More
News18
01-07-2025
- Politics
- News18
Mahagathbandhan Will Throw Waqf Act Into Dustbin After Forming Govt In Bihar Says RJD's Tejashwi
Thousands of people from different parts of the country gathered at Patna's Gandhi Maidan on Sunday to take part in a protest to oppose the Waqf Amendment politicians, including MPs and MLAs, also attended the protest organised under the banner of Imarat-e-Shariah, a Muslim organisation active mainly in Bihar, Odisha and Leader of Opposition in Bihar Assembly, Tejashwi Yadav, Dipankar Bhattacharya of the CPI(ML), Rajya Sabha member Imran Pratapgarhi, and Lok Sabha member Pappu Yadav were also at the gathering, along with other MPs and MLAs from the INDIA bloc. The Congress state president also read out messages of support from Leader of Opposition in Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi and party national president Mallikarjun Kharge. n18oc_indian18oc_breaking-newsn18oc_politicsNews18 Mobile App -
Indian Express
30-06-2025
- Politics
- Indian Express
‘Bihar will throw Act in dustbin': Tejashwi, Pappu Yadav join thousands at protest against Waqf Amendment
Thousands of people from different parts of the country gathered at Patna's Gandhi Maidan on Sunday to take part in a protest to oppose the Waqf Amendment Act. Several politicians, including MPs and MLAs, also attended the protest organised under the banner of Imarat-e-Shariah, a Muslim organisation active mainly in Bihar, Odisha and Jharkhand. The Leader of Opposition in Bihar Assembly, Tejashwi Yadav, Dipankar Bhattacharya of the CPI(ML), Rajya Sabha member Imran Pratapgarhi, and Lok Sabha member Pappu Yadav were also at the gathering, along with other MPs and MLAs from the INDIA bloc. The Congress state president also read out messages of support from Leader of Opposition in Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi and party national president Mallikarjun Kharge. Addressing the gathering, Tejashwi Yadav said the RJD has been opposing the Act both in Parliament and on the streets. '…When the Amendment Bill regarding Waqf came to Parliament in 2025, we strongly opposed it in both Houses. And not just that, when the JPC (Joint Parliamentary Committee) was formed and after the Bill was passed, our party also went to the Supreme Court against it… Whether in the House, on the streets, or in the courts, we will fight this battle everywhere…,' he said. 'Those who are in power now are on their way out… When the government of the poor comes to power, Bihar will throw this Act into the dustbin…,' he said. Assembly elections are set to be held in Bihar later this year. Tejashwi also alleged that attempts were being made to disenfranchise the poor and those in minority communities by making changes to the electoral rolls. 'Your land is being taken away and now they are going to take away the voting rights of the poor, backward, Dalit, extremely backward, and poor from the minority communities… The Election Commission has issued a notification that they are going to make a new list of 8 crore voters, and this new list has to be made in just 30 days… You all should stay alert, be careful that no one's name is removed from the voter list, this is a big conspiracy. After the voter list, they will remove names from the pension list as well,' he claimed. Pappu Yadav made similar allegations, saying, 'By taking away the voting rights of 4.7 crore poor people through the Election Commission, they (NDA) want to contest elections in Bihar… This is a proxy war… Within one month, they want to make those 4.7 crore people (of Bihar) who are outside, homeless.' Maulana Faisal Rahmani, the head of Imarat-e-Shariah, described the protest as a milestone and not a conclusion. 'This movement will continue until the Waqf Act is withdrawn,' he said. He criticised the Act as unconstitutional and anti-minority, citing alleged violations of Articles 13, 14, 25, 26, and 300A of the Constitution as well as Supreme Court judgments. 'We accept the 1995 Waqf law. But these amendments are nothing but a bid to take away our places of worship and heritage buildings. This law undermines the spirit of brotherhood in the country,' Rahmani had told The Indian Express. The voices from the crowd echoed the voices on the stage. Under the scorching sun, thousands of people, both old and young, packed the Gandhi Maidan. A man from Madhubani, holding both the Tricolour and a black-and-white Jamiat Ulema-e-Hind flag, said on the condition of anonymity, 'There has been a consistent pattern of anti-Muslim actions, starting with NRC and continuing with Triple Talaq and now with Waqf. This law is an attack on Shariat, but we want to proceed peacefully. We are here for that reason.' 'Our mosques, schools, and lands are all under Waqf for our protection… All religions are treated equally under the Constitution. So why are we being divided by the government?' an elderly attendee asked.
Time of India
29-06-2025
- Politics
- Time of India
Tejashwi escapes injury as drone crashes during rally
Patna: Leader of the opposition in state assembly, Tejashwi Prasad Yadav , narrowly avoided injury on Sunday when a drone crashed onto the stage during the 'Waqf Bachao-Dastoor Bachao' rally at Gandhi Maidan in Patna. The incident occurred while the former deputy chief minister was addressing the crowd. The drone came hurtling towards the podium, prompting Tejashwi to instinctively duck, escaping what could have been a serious mishap. Patna SP (central) Diksha told reporters that police were examining the incident. "We will investigate the matter," she said, adding that police personnel were occupied with crowd management during the rally. The organisers later clarified that the drone had been deployed for aerial coverage of the event. Tejashwi resumed his address shortly after the disruption. The rally, held under the banner of Imarat-e-Shariah, was convened by Ameer-e-Shariat Maulana Ahmad Wali Faisal Rahmani. Despite soaring summer temperatures, lakhs of people gathered to protest against the Waqf (Amendment) Act, 2025 and express support for the Constitution.
