Title: Assam Muslims are very sad: AIUDF MLA on Himanta’s protest claim
Assam Muslims are extremely unhappy and disheartened by the recent developments in the state, particularly with regards to the Waqf Act. Reacting to Assam Chief Minister Himanta Sarma’s claim that except for isolated protests against the Waqf Act at three locations, the state remained peaceful on Friday, AIUDF MLA Rafiqul Islam expressed his strong disagreement. According to him, Assam Muslims are “very sad” and the Chief Minister should not be under any illusion that everyone is okay with the Act. Instead, he emphasized that all Muslims in Assam want the Act to be repealed.
The Waqf Act, which was passed in 2013, aims to regulate and govern the management of Waqf properties in the state. However, many Muslims have been protesting against the Act, terming it as an attempt to snatch away their properties and rights. Rafiqul Islam, the AIUDF MLA, is one of the prominent voices opposing the Act. He believes that the Act is a threat to the very existence of the Muslim community in Assam.
In an interview, Rafiqul Islam stated, “Assam CM shouldn’t be under any illusion. All Muslims of Assam want this Act to be repealed. We won’t let them snatch away our Waqf land.” He emphasized that the BJP government is trying to confiscate the Waqf properties, which belongs to the Muslim community, and this will not be tolerated.
The MLA’s statement comes at a time when the Assam government is facing severe criticism from various quarters for its handling of the Waqf Act. The Act has been widely condemned by Muslim organizations and leaders, who claim that it is an attempt to erode the rights and identity of the Muslim community in Assam.
Rafiqul Islam’s comments also resonate with the sentiments of many ordinary Muslims in Assam, who are deeply concerned about the implications of the Waqf Act. Many fear that the Act will lead to the confiscation of their properties, which have been in their possession for generations.
The controversy surrounding the Waqf Act has been ongoing for several years, with protests and rallies being organized by Muslim organizations and leaders. The situation took a turn for the worse recently, with reports of violence and clashes between Muslim protesters and police personnel.
The Assam government, on the other hand, has maintained that the Waqf Act is necessary to bring transparency and accountability to the management of Waqf properties. However, Muslim leaders and organizations have rejected this claim, arguing that the Act is a tool to disempower and marginalize the Muslim community in Assam.
The standoff between the Assam government and Muslim organizations over the Waqf Act has reached a critical point, with both sides refusing to budge. The situation is likely to remain tense in the coming days, with the Muslim community in Assam determined to protect their rights and properties.
In conclusion, the statement of AIUDF MLA Rafiqul Islam highlights the deep-seated concerns and fears of the Muslim community in Assam over the Waqf Act. The Act has been widely condemned as an attempt to erase the identity and rights of Muslims in Assam, and the Muslim community will continue to fight against it.
