‘Some BJP MPs also back over Waqf stand': top Muslim body chief on eve of Patna rally

Indian Express

a day ago

After holding scores of protest meetings against the amended Waqf law across Bihar, Jharkhand, Odisha and West Bengal, Imarat-e-Shariah, one of the country's leading Muslim organisations, is set to hold a mega rally in Patna's Gandhi Maidan on Sunday to keep the heat on the BJP-led Centre over the row.
Imarat-e-Sharia, headquartered in Patna, has rejected the Waqf amendment legislation, calling for its withdrawal. The legislation was passed by Parliament in April.
In May, after hearing multiple petitions challenging the constitutional validity of the Waqf Amendment Act, 2025, the Supreme Court reserved its decision on the prayer for interim directions.
Speaking to The Indian Express, Imarat-e-Shariah head Faisal Rahmani said: 'Though we have been protesting against the draconian Waqf Amendment Bill right from the start, we want to keep the pressure on the Centre. We have been creating awareness among public about how the Centre's Waqf amendments are against several provisions of the Constitution and Supreme Court rulings. It is 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 said: 'We accept the 1995 Waqf law. Going by the amendments to it, how can one disallow Hindus to donate their land for a good cause? Our records show that there are thousands of educational, medical and social organisations and institutions being run on Waqf land, some of which even have more Hindu beneficiaries in comparison to Muslims. Take for example Maulana Mazharul Haque University in Patna, which has 88% Hindu students in its B.Ed courses.'
He said, 'The Centre summarily rejected our more than 300 representations against the Waqf Bill – we are also rejecting their amended Waqf law.'
Calling the Waqf law 'irrational', the Imarat-e-Shariah chief also said: 'What will happen when someone asks for proof of Ashokan pillars or a whole lot of our historical monuments cutting across religions? This law aims at creating enmity among citizens… Public is a great force. It had made the NDA-led central government withdraw three farm laws. Patna rally is just the beginning, we will keep the pressure on the Centre.'
Asked about timing of the Imarat-e-Shariah's protests ahead of the upcoming Bihar Assembly polls, Rahmani said they have been seeking support from all parties. 'We are getting calls of solidarity from various political parties. In fact, some BJP MPs have also been supporting our Waqf stand,' he claimed.
In March, during Ramzan, Imarat-e-Shariah had given a call to boycott the 'sarkari' Iftar hosted by Chief Minister and JD(U) president Nitish Kumar in Patna. The JD(U) had termed the Imarat-e-Shariah's boycott announcement 'uncalled for'. This was perhaps the first time that a leading Muslim body had made such a move.
The Muslim community accounts for over 17% of Bihar's population and is concentrated in Kishanganj, Araria, Purnia, Katihar and Purnia. Several other districts in the state, including Darbhanga, Madhubani, Patna and Nalanda, also have sizeable Muslim population.