United in Resistance: Mohammad Shafi’s Call for a Nationwide Fight Against Waqf (Amendment) Act

The historic “Waqf Bachao, Samvidhan Bachao” rally at Gandhi Maidan today stands as a monumental testament to the unyielding spirit of India’s Muslim community and the unbreakable resolve of secular forces united in defense of our Constitution. On behalf of the Social Democratic Party of India , I salute the lakhs of citizens from Bihar, Jharkhand, Odisha, and West Bengal who gathered under the scorching sun to raise their voices against the draconian Waqf (Amendment) Act, 2025. This rally, organized by the esteemed Imarat-e-Shariah, is not merely a protest but a clarion call for justice, echoing the legacy of freedom struggles once waged on this very soil.

The Waqf (Amendment) Act, 2025, is a brazen assault on the constitutional rights enshrined under Articles 14, 25, 26, and 300A. By imposing arbitrary conditions—such as requiring five years of practiced Islam to create a Waqf, abolishing the “Waqf by user” principle, and granting the government unchecked authority over Waqf properties—the Act undermines religious autonomy, threatens minority rights, and seeks to centralize control over assets worth ₹1.2 lakh crore. In Bihar, where Muslims form over 17% of the population, this legislation is a direct attack on our community’s economic and cultural heritage, particularly as we stand on the cusp of crucial assembly elections.

The rally was a powerful display of unity, bridging sectarian divides among Sunni, Shia, Sufi, and other Muslim communities, while forging a remarkable coalition with Hindu, Sikh, Christian, and SC/ST representatives. The resounding chants of “Jai Hind,” “Jai Bhim,” and “Jai Samvidhan,” coupled with the collective dua led by Ameer-e-Shariat Maulana Ahmad Wali Faisal Rahmani, reaffirmed our shared commitment to India’s secular and democratic ethos. The presence of leaders from the Rashtriya Janata Dal, Indian National Congress, CPI-ML, Vikassheel Insaan Party, Samajwadi Party, SDPI, AIMIM, and civil society groups underscored that this fight is not just for Muslims but for the soul of our Constitution.

The SDPI stands shoulder to shoulder with this coalition. We reject this unconstitutional Act’s divisive intent and warn the NDA government that the massive turnout today—estimated at over 10 lakh strong—signals a turning tide. The Muslim community, backed by secular allies, will not allow the erosion of our rights or the plundering of Waqf properties that sustain vital institutions like Maulana Mazharul Haque University, serving 88% Hindu students.

This rally is a beacon of resistance, part of a nationwide movement against the Waqf Act, from Delhi to Hyderabad, Kalaburagi to Mysuru. We draw inspiration from the 2021 farm laws’ repeal, confident that sustained public pressure will force the government to withdraw this Act. The SDPI pledges to intensify this struggle, mobilizing communities across India to protect our constitutional guarantees and ensure that the electoral consequences of this injustice are felt in Bihar and beyond.

Let the NDA take note: the people of India, united in diversity, will not bow to policies that threaten our pluralistic fabric. We will fight relentlessly until the Waqf (Amendment) Act is consigned to the dustbin of history, where it belongs.
Jai Hind, Jai Samvidhan!

Mohammad Shafi
National Vice President
Social Democratic Party of India