Murshidabad violence: Jamiat chief says Waqf law helps 'land occupiers’, calls for peaceful agitation

Mahmood Madani, the leader of Jamiat Ulema-e-Hind, harshly criticized the Waqf (Amendment) Act on Sunday, claiming it was a politically driven attempt to allow land takeover under the pretense of reform. Violence will only weaken the movement, he warned, and urged "nonviolent protests against the law."

"We have urged everyone to demonstrate everywhere and in a nonviolent manner. Madani was quoted by ANI as adding, "And we condemn any violence-it will only weaken our movement." The comments coincide with violent demonstrations against the new Waqf law in Murshidabad, West Bengal. In relation to the violence, the police arrested more than 150 people and murdered at least three.

According to Madani, the amendment was made to benefit special interests rather than enhance the Waqf Boards' ability to operate. "Politics, not Waqf, is at fault here. This conduct was carried out maliciously in the name of Muslims, sometimes by mistreating Muslims sometimes by showing sympathy for them," Madni continued.