MLAs told to clarify stand on Waqf Amendment Act
Source: Chronicle News Service

Imphal, April 09 2025: Minorities Students' Association (MSA), Manipur and All Manipur Muslim Students' Organisation (AMMSO) have demanded that Muslim legislators and MLAs representing constituencies with significant Muslim populations, clarify their stance on the Waqf Amendment Act to the public.

Addressing media persons at Manipur Press Club, here, on Wednesday, MSA president Ph Ijuj Ahamad stated that the Muslim community has been fiercely opposing the Waqf Amendment Act, 2025, recently passed by the Parliament.

Of the three Muslim MLAs in the state, only Kshetrigao MLA Sheikh Noorul Hassan has publicly clarified his position on the issue.

MLAs told to clarify stand on Waqf Amendment Act

The other two MLAs Md Abdul Nasir of Lilong AC and Md Ashabudin of Jiribam, should also make their stance known to the public, he said.

The president further questioned why MLA Md Abdul Nasir, who also serves as the chairman of the Manipur Waqf Board and was elected on a JD (U) ticket, a party that played a significant role in the passage of the Waqf Amendment Act, is yet to clarify his position.

Similarly, Md Ashabudin, the only Muslim independent MLA in the state, should also make his position on the issue clear, he added.

Ijuj Ahamad further stated that the two Muslim MLAs must decide what holds greater importance, the interests of their party or the rights and interests of the people, and make their position clear to the public.

He also called for MLAs representing Muslim-populated assembly constituencies such as Moirang, Kumbi, Bishnupur, Hiyanglam, Mayang Imphal, Kakching, Heirok, Wangjing Tentha, Khangabok, Wangkhem, Thoubal, Andro, Keirao, Khurai, Wangkhei, Wangoi, Khundrakpam, Naoriya Pakhanglakpa, and Wabagai to publicly declare their stance on the Waqf Amendment Act.

Ijuj Ahamad also warned that if the MLAs do not make their stand clear, Muslim voters are prepared to approach them in person.

He further stated that former Chief Minister N Biren had expressed his support for the passage of the Act, and in response, the Muslim community of his Heingang Assembly Constituency is considering to boycott him.

He added that members of political parties, workers, Mandal office-bearers and Muslims serving in administrative committees of Gram Panchayats should also make their stance clear to the Muslim public.

AMMSO headquarters president Imtiyas Heibokmayum also remarked that both AMMSO and MSA have been carrying out constitutional and democratic forms of protest against the Waqf Amendment Act, which has had a significant negative impact on the Muslim community, including on those who actively contributed to its passage.

He urged the public to support the ongoing agitation for repeal of the Act.