Massive Protests Rock Yairipok, Sangaiyumpham & Sora Against WAQF Amendment Act 2025; Petitions Filed in Supreme Court

Imphal, April 16: In one of the largest mobilizations in recent times, over 50,000 people gathered at Yairipok Azad Ground to protest the WAQF (Amendment) Act 2025 on April15. Organized by the All Yairipok Ulema Body in coordination with local clubs and organizations, the protest saw participation from across Yairipok—Phouden, Wangkhem Muslim, Singa, Tulihal, Toupokpi, Bishnunaha Muslim, Bamol Leikai, Kekru, Heitroipokpi, Sikhong Sekmai, Leikol, Ningthounai, Changamdabi, Mayai Keithel, Malom, and Ngariyan.

The demonstrators raised collective voices of dissent, held placards, and offered a unified dua prayer against what they called an unconstitutional and anti-Muslim legislation.

Protest slogans included:

• “Cannot infringe on rights of our forefathers!”
• “Do not infringe on the rights of Muslims!”
• “Don’t look down on minorities!”
• “Will live for Allah, will die for Allah!”
• “Down Down BJP!”
• “Down Down Amit Shah!”
• “Down Down Chandrababu Naidu!”
• “Down Down Nitish Kumar!”
• “Down Down JDU!”

Mohd Rounaque Alam, General Secretary of Jamiat Ulama (Maqami) for Phouden, Wangkhem, and Singa, condemned the Act as an attack on Islamic values and heritage:

“Our forefathers donated masjids, madrassas, kabarstans for Allah. Now the BJP-led NDA government is trying to seize them without consulting Islamic bodies. Including non-Muslims who don’t understand Islam in Waqf Boards makes no sense. Forcing registration of Waqf properties is against Islam and will discourage future donations.”

Haji Arafat Ali, President of MPCM stated:

“We are not just protesting as Muslims—we are protesting as citizens of India who believe in the democratic values of this country. This Act is a direct attack on our right to religious freedom, our religious institutions, and our identity.

The decision to push this legislation without consulting the Waqf Boards, Muslim scholars, or personal law institutions reveals the government’s true intention—to take control of Muslim affairs without our input.

The inclusion of those who don’t understand our faith, and the move to centralize and regulate donations meant for Allah, cannot be accepted.

We are raising our voice with the rest of the Muslim communities in India. Our masjids, madrassas, and kabarstans are not for sale.”

Raes Ahmed Tampak, General Secretary, UMPC, added:

“Today’s protest is not pre-planned by leaders. It is the people who came forward because they are hurt. The WAQF Amendment Act is not only legally flawed, but its intent is deeply political. It is designed to weaken Muslim institutions, silence community leadership, and control religious affairs from outside the faith.

The government’s justification—that this Act will help the poor and downtrodden—is a smokescreen. If it truly cared, it would’ve consulted the Waqf Boards, the Muslim Personal Law Boards, and respected scholars. Instead, the Act aims to override Islamic law and long-held traditions.

Let it be known: we will continue to resist. We hope that on April 16, the Supreme Court listens to the people and upholds justice.

We will not stop until this Act is withdrawn. If our forefathers could stand against colonial forces to preserve the Waqf, then so can we. This is a battle for our faith, our identity, and our future.”

AMMSO Raises Heat at Yairipok Protest, Calls on MLAs to Break Silence on WAQF Act

The ongoing protest against the WAQF Amendment Act 2025 in Yairipok saw a fiery statement from the All Manipur Muslim Students’ Organisation (AMMSO), intensifying pressure on elected representatives to publicly declare their stand on the Act.

Speaking at the protest, Dilshan Kh the General Secretary of AMMSO GHQ addressed the silence of key political figures:

“Don’t play dirty politics with the Waqf issue. We’re here to show that we stand against the Act. It’s time we go door to door to MLAs and Ministers—alongside AMMSO and MSA—and ask them directly where they stand.

The silence of Lilong MLA Abdul Nasir and former MLA Antas Khan is especially disheartening. When we urged them to speak up, they sent intermediaries and third parties to comment on their behalf. We don’t want that. We want to hear it from their own lips—what is their stand on this issue?”

He further added:

“The same goes for Jiribam MLA Asabuddin, Andro AC MLA Th. Shyamkumar, and the Heirok AC MLA. We demand a clear and public stance. AMMSO will definitely join hands with MSA and the people to continue the resistance against this Act.”

Rohan Philem , activist and cyclist, also participated in the protest at Yairipok, stating, “I am here not because of religion or politics, but to deepen the love we have for each other and amongst indigenous tribes and to offer solidarity and support for the Muslim communities. Instead of just saying that we are one and brothers and sisters, I am here to offer support for them.”

A Meitei vegetable vendor at Yairipok Azad Market also showed her solidarity with the protesting women by distributing water and sweets. Expressing her opposition to the Act, she said that the government was disturbing the country’s peace by interfering with the rightful laws and rules of the Muslim community. “I oppose the Act and stand with the protestors,” she stated.

Protests Also Erupted at Sangaiyumpham

Protests also erupted at Sangaiyumpham, organised by the Anjuman and All Clubs Association/Organisations of Sangaiyumpham. The protest saw a massive turnout of women and youth. Protesters shouted:

• “Repeal the Waqf Amendment Act 2025!”
• “Down Down BJP!”
• “Down Down JDU!”

Effigies of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Home Minister Amit Shah dressed in white jubah were displayed during the protest.

Moulana Ataur Rehman spoke to media persons: “Each religion has its own boards and councils to manage their own affairs. The Waqf Boards have existed for centuries, even before India’s independence. Our forefathers donated these properties for Islamic causes. This new Act, passed without the consent of waqf boards, clearly shows malicious intent.”

He added, “We are gathered here at Sangaiyumpham to oppose this Act in two ways. First, it violates the Indian Constitution and the fundamental rights of the people, which are non-compromisable—even under Islamic law. The Act’s provisions are against Islamic rules and practices. Secondly, Articles 14, 15, 25, and 26 are violated. This Act aims to oppress the rights of Muslim minorities. Its provisions seek to disband the Central Waqf Council and State Waqf Boards. If the Supreme Court does not take steps to repeal the Act in its hearing on April 16, we will launch massive fiery protests all over India.”

He also warned the Narendra Modi Government: “We don’t want to break up India. Our forefathers chose to stay in India when they could have gone to Pakistan. They stayed because of the love they had for this country. So we urge the government to stop doing things that hurt the sentiments of the Muslim communities of India. The government has repeatedly taken actions that have hurt the sentiments of Muslims—and now this Act. So please hear the people’s voices and repeal the Act.”

He warned that the community would no longer support political parties that remain silent:

“JDU and TDP have long used Muslims as vote banks. If they don’t stand with us now, we will reject them in upcoming elections.”

Simultaneously, thousands also took to the streets in Sora in a show of solidarity against the WAQF Amendment Act 2025. The protest was organized by the All Sora Clubs Coordinating Committee(ASCCOC) , Anjuman Nasul Islam Sora, and Jamiatul Ulam-I-Hind, and saw participation from people across Sora.

The protesters shouted powerful slogans like:

• “Repeal the WAQF Amendment Act 2025!”
• “Down Down BJP!”
• “Down Down JDU!”

Moulana Mujibur Rehman, President of Anjuman Nasul Islam Sora, addressed the gathering:

“We are protesting here along with thousands of people from Sora and nearby areas, standing against the Act passed by the Government. We urge them to repeal it.

We are here on this earth and we will die one day—we won’t live forever—but till we die, we will stand here against this Act.”

Petitions Filed in Supreme Court Challenging WAQF Amendment Act 2025

Amid the growing wave of protests, social activist Sakir Ahmed from Wabagai has filed a petition in the Supreme Court against the WAQF Amendment Act 2025 through senior advocate Sayed Ghulam Hasanan. In a video message released yesterday, Sakir stated, “This Act is aimed to oppress the minority Muslims. This Act will bring unrest over India and might even break up India. But on the hearing to be done on April 16, we have faith that the Supreme Court will bring justice.”

Similarly, the All Manipur Muslim (Meitei Pangal) Welfare Association (AMMPWA) has also approached the Supreme Court. In a video statement, the association said, “All Meitei Pangal CSOs jointly met at MLA Alhaj Abdul Nasir’s official quarter and formed a Coordination Committee for the protection of Waqf properties in Manipur under the leadership of AMMPWA. We took the decision to file a petition against this Act and have successfully done so in the Supreme Court. For this case to be victorious, please pray for it. There is no other way to tackle this matter but to go to the doors of the Supreme Court and demand justice.”

Former MLA Fajur Rahim of Team MPCC also moved the Supreme Court, stating, “We are sad about how the government passed the Act against the wishes of the Muslim community. I, along with former MLA Mohd Amin Shah and Congress spokesperson Dr. Mohd Rabi Khan, have filed a case against the Act today with the thought that its provisions must be changed.”