Key Points
- Nationwide Protest: AIMPLB urges citizens to switch off lights for 15 minutes at 9 PM on April 30 to oppose the Waqf Amendment Act.
- Peaceful Demonstrations: No street rallies; focus on silent protests, human chains, interfaith meetings, and memoranda to the President.
- Campaign Timeline: Three-month “Waqf Bachao Abhiyan” began April 22 at Delhi’s Talkatora Stadium, culminating July 13 at Ramlila Maidan.
- Wider Support: Campaign draws support from multiple faiths and opposition parties; mass events and press conferences in 50 major cities.
- Core Objections: Critics say the Act threatens religious autonomy and property rights; government claims it ensures transparency and inclusivit.
Lucknow: The All India Muslim Personal Law Board (AIMPLB) has intensified its campaign against the Waqf (Amendment) Act, 2025, calling for a symbolic nationwide “Lights Off” protest tonight. Citizens across India are urged to switch off the lights in homes, offices, and shops for 15 minutes at 9 PM on April 30 as a mark of peaceful resistance.
A Unique, Peaceful Protest
This blackout, branded “Batti Gul,” is part of the AIMPLB’s three-month “Waqf Bachao Abhiyan,” launched at Delhi’s Talkatora Stadium on April 22. The campaign is set to conclude with a massive gathering at Ramlila Maidan on July 13. The Board’s strategy emphasizes non-violence: no street rallies or processions will be held, especially in states governed by the BJP and its allies, to avoid potential provocations.
Instead, the movement will feature:
- Silent protests and human chains
- Interfaith meetings to build solidarity
- Special speeches in mosques before prayers
- Peaceful sit-ins and memoranda to the President at district headquarters
Press conferences are scheduled in 50 major cities, including Lucknow, Kanpur, Moradabad, Prayagraj, and Jaipur, to raise awareness and mobilize broader support.
Why the Protest?
The Waqf (Amendment) Act, 2025, introduces sweeping changes to the management of Waqf properties-religious endowments that make the Waqf Board the third-largest landowner in India, with 9.4 lakh acres across 8.7 lakh properties. Key amendments include:
- Inclusion of non-Muslim members on Waqf Boards
- Removal of the ‘Waqf by user’ provision
- Transfer of property dispute authority from Waqf Boards to government-appointed officials
- Applicability of the Limitation Act, 1963, to Waqf properties
Critics, including the AIMPLB and several opposition parties, argue these changes undermine the religious autonomy of Muslim institutions, threaten minority rights, and could legitimize encroachments on Waqf properties. The Board calls the Act “unconstitutional” and alleges it is an attempt by the central government to seize Waqf assets.
Supporters of the Act, including some Muslim leaders, contend it will bring transparency, curb corruption, and ensure Waqf resources benefit the poor and marginalized within the community.
Broad-Based, Interfaith Support
The movement has drawn rare unity across religious and political lines. At the “Save Waqf, Save Constitution” rally in Hyderabad and the Talkatora Stadium launch, leaders from Muslim, Christian, Sikh, and Dalit communities, as well as opposition MPs, pledged support for the campaign. The Board has urged Muslims to reach out to other communities and educate them about the implications of the Act.
Legal and Political Battle Ahead
The Supreme Court is set to hear petitions challenging the constitutional validity of the Waqf Amendment Act on May 5, keeping the issue in the national spotlight. The AIMPLB has vowed to continue its resistance both in court and through peaceful public mobilization.
The AIMPLB’s “Lights Off” protest is the centerpiece of a nationwide, multi-faith campaign against the Waqf Amendment Act, blending symbolic action with legal and civic engagement. As the debate over religious autonomy and minority rights intensifies, tonight’s blackout is expected to send a powerful message of unity and dissent across India.
