Hyderabad, May 31: Congress leader and Advisor to the Telangana Government Mohammed Ali Shabbir on Saturday vowed to continue the fight against the controversial Waqf Amendment Act, describing it as a direct assault on the constitutional rights of minorities and a broader attack on secularism in India.
Addressing the “Telangana March” organised by the Telangana Muslim Joint Action Committee at Dharna Chowk, Indira Park, he called on Muslims and all secular forces to be mentally prepared for a long battle ahead.
He accused Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s government of systematically attacking the Constitution since 2014, citing a sequence of divisive policies: first the Hijab issue, then Triple Talaq, CAA, NRC, and now targeting Waqf properties. “This is not just about Muslims; this is about India’s soul, about protecting our secular and pluralistic values,” he said.
Shabbir Ali reminded the gathering that Muslims had sacrificed immensely for the country’s freedom, highlighting Maulana Abul Kalam Azad’s years spent in jail as one such example. He expressed anguish that today even Muslim names were being targeted, with hatred growing to such an extent that Muslim identity itself is under threat.
He slammed leaders like Chandrababu Naidu and Nitish Kumar, accusing them of betraying the Muslim community by supporting the Bill despite their claims of being secular. “They talk about secularism but are pseudo-seculars, supporting legislation that attacks the rights of minorities,” he charged.
He asserted that the Congress party had stood firmly against the Bill both inside and outside Parliament. “Sonia Gandhi ji and Mallikarjun Kharge ji, despite their age, voted against this Bill. We must be grateful to all those who stood by us in this fight,” he said, acknowledging the collective effort to safeguard Waqf properties.
Detailing the parliamentary journey of the Bill, Shabbir Ali pointed out that in the Lok Sabha, the Bill was passed with 288 votes in favour and 232 against. In the Rajya Sabha, 128 members supported the Bill while 95 voted against. “The fact that nearly half of Parliament opposed this Bill shows it lacks national consensus,” he said, emphasising that such a sensitive law should not have been passed without consulting every party.
He said the Waqf Amendment Act had faced widespread criticism for allowing state interference in Waqf Boards and enabling non-Muslim appointments, undermining minority rights and the autonomy of religious institutions. He reaffirmed the Congress party’s full support for all legal and democratic efforts to challenge the Act, including an active legal challenge in the Supreme Court. “We are hopeful of securing a stay on this Act,” he added.
Shabbir Ali reminded the audience that Telangana was the first state to officially oppose the controversial Act, with a government-level meeting convened on August 19, 2024. “Under Chief Minister A. Revanth Reddy’s leadership, the Telangana Congress government stood with the Muslim community from the very beginning,” he said.
He also blamed the weakening of the Congress party for the rise of communal forces in the country. “When the Congress weakened, communal forces grew stronger. If the Congress returns to power, it will withdraw the controversial laws and protect the rights of minorities,” he assured.
The protest meeting was also addressed by Muslim JAC President Mushtaq Mallik, former PCC President V Hanumantha Rao, Telangana Jana Samithi President & MLC Prof M Kodandaram, former MP Aziz Pasha and other religious and political leaders. (eom)