Massive protest in Kalaburagi echoes national outcry against Waqf Amendment Act, 2025

A public meeting was held to protest the Waqf Amendment Act, 2025, at Peer Bangali Ground in Kalaburagi on May 4, 2025.
| Photo Credit: ARUN KULKARNI

In a powerful show of unity and dissent, tens of thousands of people, predominantly from the Muslim community, gathered peacefully at Peer Bangali Ground in Kalaburagi on May 4 evening to protest the Waqf Amendment Act, 2025, a law widely criticised for undermining the autonomy of Waqf institutions and enabling increased state control over Waqf properties.

Organised by the All India Muslim Personal Law Board (AIMPLB), the rally witnessed the participation of a diverse coalition — political leaders, civil society groups, Dalit organisations, and religious heads from Hinduism, Sikhism, Christianity, and Buddhism marking a rare instance of interfaith unity in defence of minority rights.

The six-hour event, which began around 7 p.m., ended past midnight. It featured fiery speeches, appeals, and solemn moments, including a tribute to victims of the recent terrorist attack at Pahalgam in Jammu and Kashmir.

CPI General Secretary D. Raja, a key petitioner challenging the amendment in the Supreme Court, condemned the Act as ‘unconstitutional and anti-minority’.

“Dr. B.R. Ambedkar was pressured to make India a theocratic state, but he stood firm on secularism. Today, that secularism is under grave threat. This Act violates the fundamental rights guaranteed by our Constitution. Under the current regime, India faces a critical period. To save India and the Constitution, we must remove this BJP government lead by Prime Minister Narendra Modi,” he said.

CPI(M) leader Brinda Karat described the amendment as the first step toward large-scale land dispossession, not only of Muslims but also of farmers, Adivasis, and the poor. “The government’s move is not just about Waqf properties. It is a conspiracy to strip land from millions, like Adivasis, who don’t have proper titles. If Waqf lands can be questioned for lacking 3,000-year-old records, what hope is left for the landless poor? We all need to stand united to oppose the Union Government’s designs,” she said while demanding immediate repeal of the Act, calling it a violation of Articles 25 and 26 of the Indian Constitution.

The gathering stood in silence for two minutes to honour victims of a recent terrorist attack in Pahalgam, Jammu and Kashmir. Earlier, the audience stood in silence when the national anthem was played.

CPI General Secretary D. Raja addressing the public meeting to protest the Waqf Amendment Act, 2025, organised at Peer Bangali Ground in Kalaburagi on May 4, 2025.
| Photo Credit:
ARUN KULKARNI

The event was presided over by Hafiz Syed Muhammad Ali Al Hussaini, Sajjada Nashin of Dargah Hazrat Khwaja Bandanawaz and Chairman of the Karnataka State Waqf Board.

Among the prominent leaders who participated were Medical Education Minister Sharan Prakash Patil, Rajya Sabha Member Syed Naseer Hussain, and Kalaburagi North MLA Kaneez Fatima.

Also present were Maulana Abu Talib Rahmani, member of the AIMPLB; Guru Mahant swamiji, head of the Chittaragi Sansthan Mutt in Ilkal; Mufti Syed Ziauddin Naqshbandi, Vice-Principal of Jamia Nizamia and founder-director of the Abul Hasanaat Islamic Research Centre; Mujtaba Farooq, National Vice-President of the Welfare Party of India; Gurmit Singh Saluja, a Sikh community leader; and Abdul Basith, National Secretary of the Indian Union Muslim League.

The gathering also saw the participation of Shantaveera Swami, Head of the Khasa Matha in Gurmitkal; Abdul Majeed, Karnataka State President of the Social Democratic Party of India (SDPI); Bhante Varajyoti Thero from the Anadoor Buddha Vihara in Bidar; and Mohammad Saad Belagami, Karnataka State President of Jamaat-e-Islami Hind.

Former Union Minister C.M. Ibrahim, former KUDA chairman Dr. Mohammad Asghar Chulbul, and the Sajjada Nashins of several dargahs were also in attendance.