Protest rally organized in Doranda against the Waqf Amendment Act 2025
Our fight against the dictatorial mindset will continue: Former Minister Bandhu Tirkey
Ranchi: A massive protest gathering was organized at the Risaldar Shah Baba Urs Ground in Doranda by the Jharkhand Muslim Youth Forum and various Muslim social organizations against the Waqf Amendment Act 2025. The protest was presided over by Shahid Ayyubi, President of the Jharkhand Muslim Youth Forum. Addressing the gathering, Amya Organization President S. Ali stated that Article 26 of the Indian Constitution grants all religious communities the right to manage their religious institutions and properties. However, the Waqf Amendment Act 2025, passed by the Central Government, violates this fundamental right. He pointed out that the amendment abolishes the concept of “Waqf by User” and Section 40, thereby threatening properties that were declared waqf through oral statements or informal documentation. He further added that applying the Limitation Act to waqf properties would enable illegal occupiers to claim ownership. The inclusion of non-Muslim members in the State Waqf Boards and the Central Waqf Council, he said, violates Article 14 of the Constitution, especially since no such provision exists for Muslim representatives in trusts of other religions.
Former Education Minister and Acting President of the Congress Party, Bandhu Tirkey, declared, “We stand with every voice that is being suppressed by those in power. Our struggle will continue against authoritarian thinking and to protect the Constitution. Together, we will expose every conspiracy aimed at weakening our democracy.”
Vice President of the Jharkhand State Minority Commission, Shamsher Alam, strongly criticized the Central Government, calling this a “black law” imposed through brute majority. Commission Vice President Jyoti Singh Mathru stated, “Waqf lands are a trust from Allah — they will not be allowed to be seized at any cost.” The Nazim-e-Aala of Idara-e-Shariah emphasized that any amendment to the Waqf Act without the consent of the Muslim community is a violation of the Constitution’s core values. Presiding officer Shahid Ayyubi said that the amendment is a direct violation of the right to equality.
Other key speakers at the protest included RJD leader Kailash Yadav, advocate A. Alam, A.K. Rashidi, Bhuvneshwar Kewat, Praveer Peter, Congress leader Manzoor Ansari, Khalid Khalil, Dargah Committee President Ayub Gaddi, Maulana Talha, Aqeelur Rahman, JMM leader Farid Khan, Congress leader Hussain Khan, Maulana Abid, advocate Azhar Khan, Zulfikar Ali Bhutto, Mohammad Rizwan, Pappu Gaddi, Nadeem Munna, Mohammad Imran Raza, Faheem Ahmad, Sarwar Khan, Imtiyaz Sonu, Saddam Khan, Saif Gaddi, Anees Gaddi, among many other notable figures. At the conclusion of the gathering, a formal demand was made to the Central Government to immediately revoke the Waqf Amendment Act 2025.
