In one of Karnataka’s largest civic mobilisations, nearly 100,000 citizens converged on Adyar-Kannur grounds in Mangaluru on April 19 to express firm opposition to the Waqf Amendment Act. The demonstration, stretching across over a kilometre, reflected a disciplined yet passionate outcry against legislation many deem unconstitutional and discriminatory.
Organised by a coalition of Muslim organisations and backed by civil society groups, the rally was not merely a religious response but a collective assertion of democratic rights. Protestors, carrying bold placards like “Defend the Constitution” and “Waqf: Our Trust, Not Their Trade,” marched peacefully along NH-66 and surrounding neighborhoods, forming a human tide of resistance.
Speakers framed the legislation as an attack on India’s constitutional ethos. Former Waqf Board president Maulana Shafi Sa’adi reminded the crowd of past struggles for justice, while voices like Abdul Azeez Darimi and Abdul Khader Musliyar emphasised the act’s broader implications for all Indians, beyond religious lines.
The gathering drew individuals from diverse backgrounds—former officials, scholars, business leaders, women, and youth—all united in purpose. Volunteers ensured order, locals offered water and support, and even as mobile networks were blocked, coordination never faltered.
This was not just a protest about land—it was a stand for pluralism, law, and equity. As one speaker noted, “Waqf is not community property; it is a lifeline of public welfare.”
The message to the government was unmistakable: democracy demands to be heard.
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