Muslims rally in Cuttack against new Waqf Act
Bhubaneswar: Hundreds of people from Cuttack and surrounding areas staged a massive protest on Saturday against the new Waqf Amendment Act, demanding its immediate withdrawal. Wearing black badges, protesters marched from Gandhi Bhawan near Sunshine field to the district collector’s office, carrying banners and placards.
“This controversial Act undermines our constitutional rights and threatens India’s secular status,” said Syed Ekram Hussain, former chairman of the state Waqf board and senior BJD members. He emphasised that the amendment represents an attack on Muslim rights and waqf institutions.
The protesters submitted a memorandum addressed to the President and Chief Justice of India through the district collector, urging the withdrawal of the Act in the community’s interest.
Salim, leader of Muslim Minority Sangha, stressed that the new amendment should not burden the community and called for its immediate rejection. “The Act’s provisions are detrimental to our community’s interests and must be withdrawn,” he said.
The demonstration united various minority organisations, including Rajya Minority Sangha, Imarat-E-Sharia, Jamaat-E-Islami Hind’s Cuttack branch and Muslim Youth Association, among others. Several secular organisations, including the city Ambedkar Smruti Parishad, Sachetana Nagarika Mahasabha and Abhinab Samaja Ekta Sangathan, also joined the demonstration.
“This controversial Act undermines our constitutional rights and threatens India’s secular status,” said Syed Ekram Hussain, former chairman of the state Waqf board and senior BJD members. He emphasised that the amendment represents an attack on Muslim rights and waqf institutions.
The protesters submitted a memorandum addressed to the President and Chief Justice of India through the district collector, urging the withdrawal of the Act in the community’s interest.
Salim, leader of Muslim Minority Sangha, stressed that the new amendment should not burden the community and called for its immediate rejection. “The Act’s provisions are detrimental to our community’s interests and must be withdrawn,” he said.
The demonstration united various minority organisations, including Rajya Minority Sangha, Imarat-E-Sharia, Jamaat-E-Islami Hind’s Cuttack branch and Muslim Youth Association, among others. Several secular organisations, including the city Ambedkar Smruti Parishad, Sachetana Nagarika Mahasabha and Abhinab Samaja Ekta Sangathan, also joined the demonstration.
