HYDERABAD: The Muslim Joint Action Committee (JAC) of Telangana and Andhra Pradesh has announced a large-scale protest march in Hyderabad on April 26, demanding the rollback of the Waqf Amendment Act 2025 recently passed by the Central government. The event, titled “Telangana March” to Rollback Waqf Amendment Act-2025, will begin at 2:00 PM at Dharna Chowk.
The venue and logistics were finalised during a core committee meeting held on Monday evening at the headquarters of Tahreek Muslim Shabban in Azampura, Hyderabad. The meeting was chaired by JAC convenor and Tahreek Muslim Shabban president Mohammed Mushtaq Malik.
The meeting was attended by several prominent figures including MBT spokesperson Md Amjedullah Khan Khaled, TPCC spokesperson Syed Nizamuddin, former Minorities Finance Corporation chairman Akbar Hussain, Dr Toufeeq of Wahdat-e-Islami, TPCC secretary Osman Mohammed Khan, and Nazimuddin Farooqi from the Muslim Chambers.
Addressing the media, Mushtaq Malik stated that participants from across Telangana’s districts would converge in Hyderabad to oppose what he termed a “dangerous and unconstitutional” piece of legislation. He claimed the march would be even larger than the anti-CAA and NRC protests of 2019, which drew nationwide attention for their scale and peaceful nature.
“All political parties except the BJP, including the Congress, BRS, CPI, CPM, as well as religious, educational, and social organisations are expected to participate,” said Malik.
The primary goal of the march, according to organisers, is to protect religious sites and institutions—such as mosques, dargahs, khanqahs, Ashoorkhanas, graveyards, madrasas, and Eidgahs—managed by Waqf Boards. Protesters believe these are under serious threat due to the provisions in the amended Act.
Malik warned that inaction could lead to the irreversible loss of Waqf assets. “Hindutva forces are determined to seize our Waqf properties. If we remain silent, we will lose them all. Every Muslim must take to the streets peacefully to resist this,” he urged.
In the run-up to the April 26 event, the JAC has announced weekly Friday protests outside mosques across Telangana. Protesters will wear black ribbons and wave black flags to symbolise dissent. Malik underscored that all protests would remain non-violent.
He also noted that efforts were underway to seek support from major political leaders, including Chief Minister A. Revanth Reddy, former CM and BRS president K. Chandrashekar Rao, BRS working president K.T. Rama Rao, TPCC president Mahesh Kumar Goud, and leaders from CPI and CPM.
In a strong statement, Malik said, “Those who support the Waqf Amendment Act cannot be considered true Muslims,” urging a united community response.
With widespread mobilisation planned and support expected from civil society beyond the Muslim community, the Telangana March is anticipated to be one of the largest demonstrations in the state in recent years.
