Daijiworld Media Network – Mangaluru (AB)
Mangaluru, Apr 16: The Dakshina Kannada Muslim People's Representatives' Forum has announced its full support for the upcoming protests against the Waqf Amendment Act. The forum also pledged to clear misconceptions about the Act among non-Muslim communities, said forum president Siraj Bajpe at a press conference held on Wednesday.
Siraj Bajpe stated that all Muslim representatives from the district will participate in the two major protests — the Ulema protest on April 18 and the Muslim Central Committee's protest on April 29 — to strongly oppose the controversial amendments.
He said several false narratives have been spread regarding Waqf properties and the Waqf Board. "There is misinformation claiming that just declaring a piece of land as Waqf makes it Waqf property, and that the Waqf Board is an organisation that grabs Hindu lands to allocate them to Muslims. We are committed to countering these lies and presenting the truth to the public," he clarified.
Expressing concern, he added, “The Modi government has introduced this law under the pretext of protecting land held by capitalists, while suppressing the rights of Muslims. This is a matter of grave concern.”
He further alleged that the BJP government is attempting to divide Hindus and Muslims — who have long lived harmoniously — based on religion for political gain. "The true face of the BJP, which is trying to benefit from religious polarization, will be exposed in the coming days," he said.
Siraj Bajpe also welcomed the fact that secular parties across the country have condemned the Waqf Amendment Bill. However, he criticized certain so-called secular parties for aligning with communal forces for power and wealth. "These parties win minority votes during elections and then compromise their secular ideology for selfish gains. The voters of this country will teach them an appropriate lesson in the days to come," he remarked.
Present at the press conference were the forum’s general secretary Abubakar Sajipa and members Abdul Salaam Someshwara, A K Abdul Sattar, and Abdul Razzaq.