Farhan Siddiqui (Exec. Editor)
July 13, Kozhikode, Kerala – Samajwadi Party MP Iqra Hasan took center stage at the Kerala Muslim Women’s Conference, passionately advocating for the immediate withdrawal of the Waqf Amendment Act 2025. The event, organized by the All India Muslim Women’s Association, drew a large crowd of community members and activists eager to voice their concerns over the controversial legislation.In her address, Hasan argued that the amendment infringes upon Article 226 of the Indian Constitution, which ensures that religious institutions have the right to manage their own affairs. “This is not merely a Muslim issue; it is an Indian issue,” she declared, pointing out the potential risks to other religious endowments such as Christian charitable trusts and Sikh Gurudwara properties. She cautioned that the precedent set by the Act could lead to similar encroachments on other religious lands, thereby jeopardizing the secular essence of the republic. Hasan emphasized the need to preserve the autonomy of state Waqf Boards from central interference, a core demand of the community. “We demand the restoration of the autonomy of state Waqf Boards and the protection of minority rights as enshrined in Articles 26, 29, and 30 of the Constitution,” she stated firmly. She called for community consultation before any further amendments, describing these demands as fundamentally constitutional, moral, and just.Her speech also addressed broader themes of dignity and the limits of government power.
“This is about rights, dignity, and the future of constitutional India,” Iqra Hasan asserted, framing the issue as a critical test for the nation’s democratic principles. Conference attendees, many adorned with headbands reading “Repeal Waqf Amendment Act 2025,” rallied behind her, chanting in support of their cause.The Waqf Amendment Act 2025, enacted earlier this year, aims to enhance transparency and accountability in Waqf management but has faced significant backlash. Critics, including the All India Muslim Personal Law Board and Jamiat Ulama-e-Hind, argue that it could facilitate land grabs and undermine minority rights. These groups, along with several MPs and religious organizations, have filed petitions challenging the Act’s constitutional validity, which the Supreme Court is set to hear in consolidated form.Hasan’s involvement in the protest and her eloquent defense of minority rights have intensified the national debate on the balance between state intervention and religious autonomy. As the Supreme Court looms on the horizon with its decision, the implications for India’s secular framework and the rights of its religious minorities hang in the balance.
The Kerala Muslim Women’s Conference, under Hasan’s leadership, stands as a powerful reminder of the ongoing struggle for justice and equality amidst perceived legislative threats.
