Lakhs gather in Karnataka’s Gulbarga against new Waqf act
A massive number of protestors gathered at Peer Bangali Ground in Karnataka’s Gulbarga on May 4, voicing strong opposition to the Waqf Amendment Act, 2025.
The protest, largely attended by members of the Muslim community, became a powerful demonstration of peaceful resistance against what many perceive as an attempt to strip Waqf institutions of their autonomy and subject them to intensified state control.
Organised by the All India Muslim Personal Law Board (AIMPLB), the rally received broad-based support from political leaders, activists, Dalit and Bahujan representatives, as well as faith leaders from Hindu, Sikh, Christian, and Buddhist communities.
Commencing around 7 p.m. and continuing past midnight, the protest lasted for over six hours.
The demonstration was chaired by Hafiz Syed Muhammad Ali Al Hussaini, Sajjada Nashin of Dargah Hazrat Khwaja Bandanawaz and Chairman of the Karnataka Waqf Board. Several prominent leaders were in attendance, including Medical Education Minister Sharan Prakash Patil, Rajya Sabha MP Syed Naseer Hussain, Kalaburagi North MLA Kaneez Fatima, CPI General Secretary D. Raja, and CPI(M) Politburo Member Brinda Karat.
Other notable participants included Maulana Abu Talib Rahmani of the AIMPLB; Guru Mahant Swamiji of the Chittaragi Sansthan Mutt in Ilkal; Mufti Syed Ziauddin Naqshbandi, Vice-Principal of Jamia Nizamia and founder of the Abul Hasanaat Islamic Research Centre; and Mujtaba Farooq, Vice-President of the Welfare Party of India.
Also present were Gurmit Singh Saluja, representing the Sikh community; Abdul Basith, National Secretary of the Indian Union Muslim League (IUML); Shantaveera Swami of the Khasa Matha in Gurmitkal; Abdul Majeed, State President of the SDPI; Bhante Varajyoti Thero from the Anadoor Buddha Vihara in Bidar; and Mohammad Saad Belagami, State President of Jamaat-e-Islami Hind.
The gathering also included former Union Minister C.M. Ibrahim, former KUDA Chairman Dr. Mohammad Asghar Chulbul, and representatives from several dargahs across the region.
