AhlulBayt News Agency: In Uttar Pradesh, India the Muslim community is set to intensify its protest against the Waqf Bill. Shia cleric Maulana Kalbe Jawad has appealed to the Muslim community to unite and oppose the bill. He stated that the All India Muslim Personal Law Board has called for a symbolic protest on April 30 at 9 PM by turning off lights in homes, factories, and offices for half an hour, which he believes will be a successful act of dissent.
Every Muslim family in UP is expected to express silent opposition by switching off electricity for half an hour on that day, even if the state government decides to take legal action against them. Maulana Kalbe Jawad made this declaration in response to police notices sent to those opposing the Waqf Bill.
In Lucknow, the Shia community staged a protest demanding the withdrawal of the Waqf Law, raising slogans against it. Maulana Kalbe Jawad said, “The government is seizing our homes and claiming it is for our welfare.”
According to him, during Friday prayers on April 3 and 4, people in Muzaffarnagar wore black armbands as a peaceful protest against the law passed in Parliament. In response, the police identified the protesters and sent notices to around 300 people.
The notice reportedly instructed them to appear at the police station, deposit a bond of ₹2 lakh, and bring two guarantors for bail. Maulana said that if wearing black armbands and peacefully protesting against the law is now considered a crime, then on April 30, the entire Muslim community will unite to commit this “crime.”
Dr. Syed Qasim Rasool Ilyas, spokesperson for the All India Muslim Personal Law Board, also affirmed that on April 30, Muslims across the country will turn off lights in homes, factories, and offices at 9 PM for half an hour to silently protest the Waqf Bill.
No slogans will be raised during this period. The protest will be carried out in complete silence. According to the Board's spokesperson, the campaign will officially launch on April 22 at Talkatora Stadium in Delhi and conclude on July 7 at Ramlila Maidan, Delhi.
Kalbe Jawad Calls the Waqf Bill Unconstitutional
In Lucknow, a protest will also be held under the leadership of Maulana Kalbe Jawad. During the Awaqaf Protection Week observed from April 11 to 18, the Waqf Bill will be opposed by wearing black armbands.
As part of the week’s events, speeches will be given before prayers, human chains will be formed, and interfaith meetings will be held to discuss the protection of Waqf properties. Peaceful protests will be conducted in major cities like Lucknow, Kanpur, Moradabad, Meerut, Rampur, Saharanpur, Mau, Ghazipur, and Prayagraj, and memorandums will be sent to the President of India.
Maulana Kalbe Jawad clarified that their opposition is directed at the government, and hence no rallies or processions will be held on the streets. In Lucknow, however, protesters will offer themselves for arrest while demanding the bill's withdrawal.
Kalbe Jawad considers the Waqf Bill unconstitutional and claims that through this bill, the government aims to usurp Muslim properties. He further warned that after targeting Muslims, the government will also go after the Dalit community.
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