Hyderabad: The Telangana unit of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has dismissed the joint call by the All-India Muslim Personal Law Board (AIMPLB) and AIMIM for a “switch off lights” protest as a hollow political stunt aimed at misleading the Muslim community.
State BJP Chief Spokesperson &Media Incharge N.V. Subash criticized the protest, which is being staged in opposition to the recently amended Waqf Board Act—a law passed through due democratic process to ensure greater transparency and equitable representation for all sects within the Muslim community, including marginalized groups like the Pasmandas and Ahmadis.
“Mr. Asaduddin Owaisi claims to have faith in the Constitution and democratic institutions, yet he opposes a constitutionally valid law purely for political theatrics,” Subash said. “On one hand, he slams the Waqf Board for misusing funds and failing the poor. On the other, he now defends it because his party has been given lucrative positions within it.”
Subash asserted that the amendment to the Waqf Act is aimed at empowering underrepresented and economically weaker sections within the Muslim community. “It is ironic that those who once criticized the Waqf Board for its opacity now resist reforms meant to clean it up. The AIMIM’s double standards are now being increasingly questioned by the very communities they have long ignored.”
He drew parallels to the misinformation campaign around the Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA), stating that a similar fear-mongering effort is underway to derail legitimate legislative progress.
Subash further noted the government’s commitment to defending the Waqf Board Amendment in the Supreme Court. “A comprehensive counter-affidavit will be filed, making it clear that the judiciary must respect the legislative will of a democratically elected government,” he said. The case is scheduled for hearing on
May 5.
The BJP appealed to the economically disadvantaged and neglected Muslim groups to see through the propaganda pushed by AIMPLB and AIMIM, which, Subash said, represent the interests of only the elite and powerful factions within the community.
