Mysuru Rises in Protest: Thousands Rally Against Waqf Amendment Act

Citizens Invoke Tipu Sultan and Ambedkar as Cross-Community Unity Marks Resistance

Mysuru, May 3, 2025:
Over 25,000 people gathered at Eidgah Maidan in Mysuru on Saturday in a powerful protest against the Waqf Amendment Act 2025, a law widely criticized for threatening religious autonomy and violating constitutional rights. Organized under the All India Muslim Personal Law Board (AIMPLB), the protest was part of a nationwide movement opposing the Act.

The demonstration coincided with the eve of Tipu Sultan’s martyrdom anniversary, invoking his legacy of resistance. Flags in saffron, white, and green waved alongside placards declaring “Waqf Hamara Haq Hai” and “Jai Bhim,” symbolizing solidarity between Muslim and Dalit communities in defense of the Constitution.

“This is not reform—it’s a constitutional assault disguised as streamlining,” said Akbar Ali of Jamaat-e-Islami Hind. “The government is not protecting Waqf lands; it is preparing to seize them.”

The protest began with a reading of the Preamble and a minute’s silence for victims of the recent Pahalgam terror attack, grounding the demonstration in solemn national reflection.

Political activist Dr. H.V. Vasu likened the protest to Shaheen Bagh, calling Mysuru “a lighthouse of resistance.” Farmer leader Badagalapura Nagendra warned, “This isn’t just a Muslim issue. Like the farm laws, this Act erodes the rights of vulnerable communities.”

Dalit leader Bittayya Kote echoed this, stating, “The poison of division from the 1990s is back—but this time, our resistance is stronger.”

Among the speakers were civil society leaders, scholars, and politicians, including former Mayor Arif Hussain, Congress spokesperson M. Lakshman, and SDPI president Abdul Majeed.

The Waqf Amendment empowers district collectors to adjudicate Waqf property claims and removes the “Waqf by use” clause—alarming many who fear loss of community-managed educational and welfare assets. Protesters argue the law violates Article 26, which guarantees religious groups the right to manage their institutions.

“This is not the end—it’s the beginning,” one speaker said. “The Constitution belongs to the people—and we will defend it.”

🔹 Statements

1. Akbar Ali (Jamaat-e-Islami Hind, Karnataka):
“This Amendment is not about reform—it’s about control. It undermines our constitutional rights and aims to strip the Muslim community of its Waqf assets.”

2. Dr. H.V. Vasu (Political Activist):
“Mysuru today echoes the spirit of Shaheen Bagh. The people are the Constitution’s last line of defense.”

3. Badagalapura Nagendra (Karnataka Farmers’ Union):
“If they can grab Waqf lands today, they will target farmer lands tomorrow. This is a fight for everyone.”

4. Bittayya Kote (Dalit Sangharsha Samiti):
“They used communal hate in the 1990s. Today, they’re using law books. We won’t fall for it again.”

5. Protest Organizer (AIMPLB):
“This isn’t just a Muslim issue. It’s a national emergency for India’s democratic conscience.”

🔹 Quotes

“When lies become law, resistance becomes duty.”
“The Preamble is not a slogan—it’s our promise to each other as Indians.”
“Tipu fought the British. We fight their inheritors in the disguise of democracy.”
“Waqf is for the people, not for profit.”
“First they came for our lands, now they come for our rights.”

🔹 Q&A (For interviews)

Q: Why are people protesting against the Waqf Amendment Act?
A: Because it transfers the power over Waqf lands from community institutions to district collectors, violating Article 26 of the Constitution and threatening the autonomy of religious trusts.

Q: Is this just a Muslim community issue?
A: No. Leaders from farmers’ unions, Dalit movements, and civil society are also warning that this Act sets a dangerous precedent for state overreach into community-managed assets.

Q: Why Mysuru?
A: Mysuru is symbolic—it’s the city of Tipu Sultan, a figure of resistance. Holding this protest on the eve of his martyrdom anniversary was a deliberate act to invoke his legacy.

Q: What do protesters want?
A: Immediate repeal of the Waqf Amendment Act 2025 and protection of constitutional guarantees for all religious and minority communities.