Various Muslim socio-religious organisations opposing Waqf Amendment Bill have planned to meet Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu to urge him to make the BJP-led NDA government at the Centre to withdraw the Bill, Radiancenews reported on August 17.
Naidu’s Telugu Desam Party (TDP) is a key ally of Narendra Modi government. Some organisations have also decided to make a representation to Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar, whose Janata Dal (United) is also a key partner in the NDA government at the Centre.
Since Naidu had served as the chief minister of united Andhra Pradesh for nearly a decade and leaders of several Muslim organisations had association with him in the past, they plan to use their old ties to impress upon him the need to stop amendments to the Waqf Act.
Moulana Hafiz Peer Shabbir Ahmed, president Jamiat-Ulama-i-Hind, Telangana and Andhra Pradesh, said they will make representation to leaders of NDA allies.
He also announced that Waqf conference will be held in Hyderabad next month. Eminent ulama, legal experts, intellectuals and ‘mashaeqeen’ will participate in the conference, which will chalk out future course of action.
Stating that the government’s interference in the matter relating to Waqf properties is unacceptable, he said Muslims have a law for Waqf just like people of other religions have laws governing their places of worship.
Jamiat plans mass movement including meetings and rallies to oppose the Waqf Amendment. He said they would approach the court if necessary.
An association of ‘Sajjadagaans’ (heads of dargahs), Mutawallis and ‘Khidmatguzars’ also held a roundtable meeting in which Ulama, Sajaadagaans and other participated. The meeting presided over by Moulana Syed Shah Ali Kabr Nizamuddin HussainiSaberi decided to make representation to Chandrababu Naidu and Nitish Kumar.