Over 10,000 people joined a massive protest rally against the Waqf Amendment Act at the Eidgah Ground in Tilak Nagar of Mysuru city on Saturday.
The rally was organised by the Ulama-O-Huffaz of Mysuru district under the aegis of the All India Muslim Personal Law Board (AIMPLB).
Among the key speakers were Usman Sharieff, Sir Qaazi of Mysuru, and Tajuddin, Justice of the Shariah Court, Daarul Uloom Siddiqia, Mysuru.
In a memorandum to the Central government presented to Mysuru DC G. Lakshmikanth Reddy, Sharieff and Tajuddin stated, “The amendment appears to be in contravention of the Constitution. It poses a serious threat to the autonomy of the Muslim community in administering their religious affairs and properties. The changes interfere with Shariah (Islamic law). With these amendments, the government seems to take control of the management and administration of Auqaf (Islamic charitable endowments) and to destroy Muslim endowments. The amendments contradict the fundamental rights as enshrined under Articles 25 (guaranteeing the right to freedom to profess, practice, and propagate religion) and 26 (freedom to manage religious affairs) of the Constitution. They are centralising control, limiting the community’s say in Waqf administration.”
Other speakers included Karnataka Exhibition Authority Chairman Ayub Khan, MLA Tanveer Sait, former Mayors Ariff Hussain and Anwar Baig Aftab, SDPI State President Abdul Majeed, members of the Karnataka Rajya Raitha Sangha such as Hoskote Basavaraj and Badagalpura Nagendra, Karnataka Rajya Hindulida Vargagala Jaagrutha Vedike President K. S. Shivaram, and Urilinga Peddi Mutt seer Jnanaprakash Swami.
