Muslim organisations boycotted Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu’s Iftar party in Vijayawadaon March 27 to protest his tacit support to the Waqf (Amendment) Bill 2024.On a call given by All India Muslim Personal Law Board (AIMPLB), Muslim leaders stayed away from ‘Iftar and dinner’.
The AIMPLB has called for boycott of Iftar parties hosted by TDP-led NDA government in Vijayawada and other places in Andhra Pradesh to demand TDP to make the Union Government withdraw Waqf Amendment Bill from Parliament.
Leaders of Muslim organisations and religious scholars belonging to all the sects did not attend the Chief Minister’s Iftar. Only Muslim MLAs of TDP and heads and members of minority institutions like Waqf Board, Haj Committee and Urdu Academy attended the iftar.
The iftar was followed by Maghrib prayers and dinner. Naidu joined the Muslims in the prayers and later had dinner with them. Minorities Welfare Minister N. Md Farooq was present with the Chief Minister.
Jamaat-e-Islami Hind AP state president Rafeeq Ahmed said AIMPLB has decided to boycott iftar parties of partners in BJP-led NDA government at the Centre.
AIMPLB feels that both TDP and JD(U), who are key partners of the Modi government, are not opposing Waqf Bill or making the government withdraw it.
Rafeeq Ahmed said on one hand Chandrababu and TDP are trying to show their love for Muslim community while on the other they are backing the black bill.