Muslim Organizations Reevaluate Their Stance on Waqf Law Amid Pahalgam Terror Attack Fallout

A Shift in Focus for Muslim Organizations:

In the wake of the attack, key Muslim groups like the All India Muslim Personal Law Board (AIMPLB) and Jamiat Ulema-e-Hind have decided to temporarily suspend their protests against the Waqf Amendment Act, a law they have fiercely opposed for months. AIMPLB spokesperson, Syed Qasim Rasool Ilyas, confirmed that their planned protests have been postponed for the next three days as a gesture of solidarity with the victims’ families.

The Waqf law protests, which were gaining momentum with plans for a countrywide campaign, now face an uncertain future, as the recent attack has changed the national discourse.

The Waqf Law Protests and Its Momentum:

Launched in response to controversial amendments in the Waqf Act, the Muslim Personal Law Board’s campaign, called ‘Waqf Bachao Abhiyan’, had been gaining traction across India. The Board’s aim was to collect one crore signatures and push for the law’s repeal, highlighting concerns over constitutional rights. Their protests were being organized along the lines of the farmers’ protests, involving large public mobilizations, rallies, and even symbolic actions such as the planned nationwide blackout on April 30.

The protests had garnered support not only from Muslim communities but also from several Hindu intellectuals and opposition leaders, signaling a broader coalition. However, after the Pahalgam attack, which was steeped in religious overtones, these protests now face considerable challenges.

Impact of the Pahalgam Attack on Muslim Unity:

The nature of the Pahalgam terrorist attack, in which victims were targeted after being asked their religion and forced to recite religious texts, has sparked fears of heightened communal tensions. The attack is being portrayed by some as an attempt to create religious divisions, a tactic Muslim leaders believe is being exploited by terrorists to deepen rifts between Hindus and Muslims.

The Indian Muslim for Progressive and Reform’s MJ Khan noted that while the attack was condemned by Muslim groups, it had inadvertently placed Muslims on the defensive. Khan expressed concern that terrorists were trying to pit Hindus against Muslims, despite the fact that the Muslim community at large has no involvement in such acts of violence.

The Political Ramifications:

Given the communal angle of the attack, some believe that Muslim organizations’ protest against the Waqf law could be weakened. An important member of Jamiat Ulema-e-Hind acknowledged that the timing of the attack was unfortunate, as their movement against the law had been gaining traction. The increasing support from various sections of the society, including Hindus, had buoyed their confidence, but the terrorist act in Pahalgam may now alter public perceptions.

Moreover, Muslim organizations are concerned that their support base — which was growing in part due to cross-community solidarity against the Waqf law — might now dwindle, particularly in the wake of the Pahalgam attack.

The Path Forward:

While the AIMPLB has paused its protests temporarily, the future of the Waqf law movement remains uncertain. Muslim leaders are now calling for a unified response against terrorism and efforts to de-escalate communal tensions. The Pahalgam attack has clearly shifted the national mood, and the focus may now turn more to ensuring national unity rather than ongoing legal and legislative struggles.

In Summary: The terrorist attack in Pahalgam has added a new dimension to the ongoing debate on the Waqf law, putting Muslim organizations on the backfoot. The outcome of this shift will depend on how the government, Muslim groups, and the wider Indian public address the communal issues at hand, and whether cross-community efforts against terrorism can be strengthened in the coming weeks.