Bengaluru, 7 April

Hundreds of citizens, students, and activists gathered at Freedom Park on Monday, protesting the newly passed Waqf Amendment Act, 2025. Demonstrators condemned the Act as an attack on constitutional rights and community autonomy.

“This bill is a communal strike disguised as reform,” BT Venkatesh, Additional Advocate General told Salar News. “It violates fundamental rights under Articles 14, 25, and 26. The RSS has orchestrated this quietly and now pushed it through,” he added.

The Amendment, passed last week, grants the government sweeping control over waqf properties, allows non-Muslim members on waqf boards, and removes protections like the 'Waqf by User' clause. Critics argue this undermines the traditional system managing mosques, graveyards, and madrasas.

MK Metri, senior High Court advocate, warned the bill enables the government to seize waqf assets. “It demonises Waqf properties, calling them land hoards. Linking Waqf to claims on Parliament and airports is propaganda, meant to stir hate,” he said.

Law student Tahera Khan expressed concern, saying, "We've already witnessed lynchings and mosque demolitions. Now they want to legalise this bias? This is Gandhi’s India, not theirs to hijack."

Activist Tanveer Ahmed labelled the Act “a blueprint to seize Muslim heritage,” while AISA’s Aratrika called it a Right-wing move to erase community rights.

The Bill, which passed in both the Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha, received assent from President Droupadi Murmu on Saturday.