{"id":2910,"date":"2025-04-12T12:20:21","date_gmt":"2025-04-12T06:50:21","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/ichelnewsnetwork.com\/?p=2910"},"modified":"2026-01-19T05:18:39","modified_gmt":"2026-01-19T05:18:39","slug":"statewide-protests-intensify-against-waqf-amendment-act-2025-massive-turnout-human-chains-and-strong-statements-from-community-leaders","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/ichelnewsnetwork.com\/index.php\/2025\/04\/12\/statewide-protests-intensify-against-waqf-amendment-act-2025-massive-turnout-human-chains-and-strong-statements-from-community-leaders\/","title":{"rendered":"Statewide Protests Intensify Against WAQF Amendment Act 2025: Massive Turnout, Human Chains, and Strong Statements from Community Leaders"},"content":{"rendered":"

Imphal, April 12:<\/p>\n

Voices of dissent echoed across Manipur yesterday as thousands of Pangal (Manipuri Muslims) and their supporters took to the streets, staging peaceful protests against the controversial WAQF Amendment Act 2025. From sit-in protests and human chains to mass rally and public meetings, communities across districts united under a single message \u2014 Repeal the WAQF Amendment Act.<\/p>\n

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In Kshetrigao, a major protest was organised by Kshetrigao Meitei Pangal United Clubs (KMPUC), Jamiatul Ulama Kshetrigao, All Manipur Muslim Students\u2019 Organisation (AMMSO), Minorities Students Association (MSA \u2013 Kshetrigao Branch), Majlis-e Mushakarah Manipur Sub Committee Kshetrigao (MMMCK), and various masjid committees. Beginning with a dua at ABA Playground, the rally covered Top Khongnangkhong, Kshetri Bengoon, Naharup, and Khergao before returning.<\/p>\n

MLA Sheikh Noorul Hassan stated: \u201cI\u2019m not here in my official capacity as an MLA, but in my individual capacity as a Muslim. I have filed a writ petition in the Supreme Court against this Act because it violates Articles 26, 14, 15, and 16. It strips Muslims\u2014especially from Scheduled Castes and Tribes\u2014of their right to donate and manage WAQF properties. The Act restricts our religious freedoms.\u201d<\/p>\n

He added: \u201cOn April 16, ten writ petitions will be heard by the Chief Justice of India. We must pray to Allah that justice prevails and that the unconstitutional parts of the Act are struck down.\u201d<\/p>\n

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At Hatta, Imphal a large-scale protest was held under the banner “Repeal WAQF Act”, led by Golapati Hatta Youth Volunteers Organisation (GHYVO), Minorities Students Association (MSA), MPCM, MHGAU, GESCDO, MHSWO, MMLDO, UDO, MAQAMI Jamiat-Ul-Ulama Hatta Golapati, KMDC, MTDC, and other masjid committees. Protestors held placards and chanted slogans such as “Save Masjid, Madrassa, Qabrstan”, “Hands Off WAQF Properties”, and “Down Down NDA\/BJP Govt.”<\/p>\n

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Haji Arafat Ali, President of MPCM, said: \u201cWAQF properties belong to Allah and were meant for the betterment of the Muslim community. This Act is a direct interference in religious affairs. We strongly oppose it and demand its repeal. The Constitution gives us the right to protect our religious identity \u2014 and we will continue exercising that right.\u201d<\/p>\n

In a symbolic and deeply personal act of protest, DP Sameer alias Amu, Commander of Pangal Tem (PT) Unit 20, marched from Mayang Imphal Bengoon Gate to Jama Masjid Lilong Bazar. Expressing his anguish, he said: \u201cI feel deeply saddened by the government\u2019s actions against Muslims. I am marching to protest against the Act and demand its repeal. I dedicate my body and soul to the Muslim community and this cause. I will continue to march in every Muslim locality and spread awareness. I appeal to everyone to unite and stand against this Act.\u201d<\/p>\n

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A powerful protest was also held at Yairipok Tulihal, organised by Anjuman-Himayat-E-Islam in coordination with UMPC Manipur and the Coordinating Committee for the Protection of WAQF Properties. Raees Ahmed Tampak, Convenor of the Committee and General Secretary of UMPC Manipur, stated: \u201cWe cannot allow people with no ties to Islam to manage WAQF properties meant for our community\u2019s religious and charitable upliftment. This Act allows non-Muslims into WAQF Boards, threatens to dismantle existing WAQF users over documentation, and abolishes the previous tribunal, handing over disputes to Deputy Collectors. These moves are not just unacceptable \u2014 they are unconstitutional. The Act violates Articles 15, 25, and 26. Unless repealed, peaceful protests will continue \u2014 not only in Manipur but across the country and even abroad.\u201d<\/p>\n

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At Yairipok Ningthounai, large numbers of men and women gathered to demand the withdrawal of the Act. Protestors held placards, performed prayers, and shouted slogans condemning the government’s actions.<\/p>\n

In Changamdabi, the All Changamdabi Clubs Coordinating Committee, along with local Ulema organisations, led a protest march from Changamdabi Mathak Leikai to Yairipok Changamdabi Primary Makha School. A public meeting followed, ending with a collective dua. Protestors raised slogans like \u201cWe condemn BJP Government\u2019s actions\u201d and reaffirmed their unwavering rejection of the Act.<\/p>\n

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At Kiyamgei Keirao Urup, the Jamiat Ulama also organised a protest rally and meeting that drew thousands of participants, both men and women. Holding placards and raising slogans, the people demonstrated strong opposition to the new WAQF provisions.<\/p>\n

In a similar show of solidarity, a human chain and sit-in protest took place at Mantripukhri, organised by the All Mantripukhri Meitei Pangal Committee and supported by MPDC, FCWA, CKWA, DCMML, DCKL, CNKA, and TPDC. Muhammad Basir Khan, President of MPDC, stated:<\/p>\n

\u201cWe, the people of Mantripukhri, are protesting against this Act by organising this human chain and sit-in. This Act undermines minority rights and threatens to seize WAQF properties. We urge everyone to support this movement considering the struggles the community will face if this Act is imposed. We want it repealed.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

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Meanwhile, in Irong Chesaba Echil Ani, locals gathered after Friday prayer at the masjid to raise their voices in protest. Men held placards and chanted slogans in a strong display of community determination. One protestor urged elected representatives not to remain silent, while others emphasized their unwavering stand against the Act, vowing to continue the protests until the Act is repealed. One protestor made a direct appeal:<\/p>\n

\u201cWe urge our elected representatives \u2014 MLAs and ministers \u2014 do not remain silent in this matter! We strongly condemn this Act and stand united. We will continue our protests until the Act is repealed.\u201d<\/p>\n

The statewide demonstrations made it unmistakably clear: the people demand the repeal of the WAQF Amendment Act. With the Supreme Court hearing around the corner, the community remains steadfast in its pursuit of justice.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Imphal, April 12: Voices of dissent echoed across Manipur yesterday as thousands of Pangal (Manipuri Muslims) and their supporters took to the streets, staging peaceful protests against the controversial WAQF … Read More<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":2912,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_joinchat":[],"footnotes":""},"categories":[32,35,33],"tags":[91,52,1945,1384,2069],"class_list":["post-2910","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-inn","category-national","category-state","tag-imphal","tag-manipur","tag-news","tag-protest","tag-waqf-act","entry"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/ichelnewsnetwork.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2910","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/ichelnewsnetwork.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/ichelnewsnetwork.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/ichelnewsnetwork.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/ichelnewsnetwork.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=2910"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"https:\/\/ichelnewsnetwork.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2910\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":8997,"href":"https:\/\/ichelnewsnetwork.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2910\/revisions\/8997"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/ichelnewsnetwork.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=2910"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/ichelnewsnetwork.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=2910"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/ichelnewsnetwork.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=2910"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}