People turn up in large numbers to protest against Waqf (Amendment) Act in Mysuru

Protesters reading out the Preamble of the Indian Constitution during the protest against the Waqf (Amendment) Act 2025 in Mysuru on Saturday.
| Photo Credit: M.A. Sriram

Religious leaders taking part in the protest against the Waqf (Amendment) Act 2025, at Idgah Maidan in Mysuru on Saturday.
| Photo Credit:
M.A. Sriram

Protesters holding placards during the protest against the Waqf (Amendment) Act 2025, at Idgah Maidan in Mysuru on Saturday.
| Photo Credit:
M.A. Sriram

A large number of people turned up for the protest against the Waqf (Amendment) Act 2025 at Idgah Maidan in Tilak Nagar in Mysuru on Saturday.

The protestors sported black bands on their arms and displayed placards at the demonstration, organised under the aegis of the All India Muslim Personal Law Board (AIMPLB) to oppose the changes brought into the earlier Waqf Act of 2013 by the BJP-led government at the Centre.

The placards carried slogans like “Stop politicising Waqf”, “We reject Waqf (Amendment) Act”, and “Save Our Constitution”.

The protestors also observed a one-minute silence in memory of the victims of the tragic terror strike at Pahalgam in Jammu and Kashmir.

While some participants sported placards denouncing the act of terrorism in Pahalgam, a banner put up behind the dais read “We condemn terrorism and the brutal killings in Kashmir”.

Constitution

The participants also read out the Preamble of the Indian Constitution and pledged to safeguard India’s unity with slogans like “Jai Hind”, “Jai Bhim”, and “Jai Samvidhan”.

The gathering was addressed by religious leaders who opposed any modifications to the Waqf Act. While the dais was occupied mostly by religious leaders, including Sarkhazi of the Mysuru Maulana Usman Sharief and Mufti Syed Tajuddin, a few progressive leaders like Badagalapura Nagendra of Karnataka Rajya Raitha Sangha and Ugra Narasimhe Gowda of Janandolanagala Mahamaithri and Sarvodaya Karnataka were among those who were present on the dais.

Secretary of Jamiat E Ulama, Mysuru, Hafiz Arshad Saheb, who addressed the gathering, emphasised the need for Hindus and Muslims to join hands and send a strong message to the forces that are dividing the country along religious lines for their narrow political gains.

Congress leaders, including MLAs Tanveer Sait and Harish Gowda, Karnataka Pradesh Congress Committee spokesperson M. Lakshman, and Social Democratic Party of India Abdul Majeed, were present.

The demonstration comes close on the heels of the “Batti Gul”, a protest to turn off the lights for 15 minutes from 9 p.m. on April 30, shows dissent against the Waqf (Amendment) Act 2025.