Ajmer dargah body opposes Waqf law, calls for nationwide protests

Jaipur/Ajmer: The Anjuman Committee of Dargah Ajmer Sharif Wednesday dubbed the Waqf Amendment Act, 2025, as the Union govt's attempt to seize centuries-old land belonging to Muslim charitable organsations under the guise of reform and called for nationwide protests.
In a blistering attack on govt, the committee, a body of hereditary custodians of the dargah, said the amended law is a direct assault on Muslim religious endowments, particularly Sufi shrines. "This law is nothing but the biggest encroachment in the history of mankind. Govt wants to usurp land donated by our ancestors over the last 700-800 years. This is not legislation; this is land grab in the name of reform," said Syed Sarwar Chishty, secretary of the committee, at a press conference in Ajmer. He called for what he termed as a "mass democratic movement" against the Waqf Amendment Act, 2025, passed by parliament this month.
Taking aim at PM Narendra Modi's claim that the amendment would benefit poor Muslims, Chishty said, "If Modi truly cared about Muslim women, why did his govt release the rapists of Bilkis Bano, who were convicted of not just rape but of murdering her three-year-old daughter and 14 family members in Gujarat in 2002?"
Chishty accused BJP and "right-wing forces" of systematically marginalising India's Muslim community over the past decade. "From Yogi Adityanath banning Eid prayers on streets to Uttarakhand CM Pushkar Dhami trying to push Muslims out of his state, and now Delhi MLA Ravinder Negi attacking Muslim-owned businesses, the pattern is clear. This is not about reform, it is about erasure with Modi's endorsement," Chishty said.
The Anjuman warned of grave consequences for the Muslims community if it does not rise in protest against the amended law. Chishty urged Sufi shrines to launch "peaceful, democratic protests and spread awareness on this calculated attempt to dismantle Muslim institutions".
Chishty also accused "some within the community" of being "sold out". "They supported this Bill in return for protection of their illegal businesses. We warn them to stop misusing Ajmer dargah's name. You do not represent us; you represent the oppressors of Muslims," he said.
The Anjuman also announced its alignment with All India Muslim Personal Law Board, claiming dargahs across the country stand united in resisting the Act. "This is not just about property. This is about our heritage, our faith, and our future. We will not surrender any of it without a fight," Chishty said.
Dewan, son back law
The dewan of Ajmer dargah, Syed Zainul Abedin, and his son, Syed Naseeruddin, who is also chairman of All India Sufi Sajjauddin Council, came out in support of the Waqf Amendment Act, 2025, Wednesday. They said the new law will help Muslims. Naseeruddin said the amended law will help Waqf properties to be used for the benefit of poor Muslims and the majority in the community.