Is the 'Bharat Bandh' announced by AIMPLB destined for failure? Shahabuddin Razvi thinks so!

Synopsis
Key Takeaways
- Shahabuddin Razvi calls for rejection of the Bharat Bandh.
- The AIMPLB's bandh against the Waqf Amendment Act is postponed.
- Political exploitation of religious sentiments is a concern.
- Community harmony is emphasized by Razvi.
- Ongoing protests against the Waqf Amendment Act will continue.
Bareilly, Oct 1 (NationPress) Renowned Muslim cleric Shahabuddin Razvi has called on the community to ensure that the 'Bharat Bandh' regarding the Waqf Amendment Act does not succeed. The All India Muslim Personal Law Board (AIMPLB) initially scheduled this bandh for October 3 but has since decided to postpone it.
Razvi urged all Muslims to refrain from participating in the AIMPLB's initiative, encouraging individuals to keep their businesses operational and carry on with their daily activities.
He cautioned that the subject has been politicized, with various political actors leveraging religious sentiments, and noted that provocative slogans like 'I Love Muhammad' could incite tensions.
"Disregard the bandh; protect yourselves from such maneuvers,” he emphasized, reiterating his plea for people to undermine the shutdown and foster communal harmony.
The AIMPLB's planned Bharat Bandh on October 3 was intended as part of a broader protest against the Waqf Amendment Act.
In a statement released on Wednesday, the Board explained that this decision emerged from an urgent meeting of its officials, led by AIMPLB President Maulana Khalid Saifullah Rahmani.
Dr. S.Q.R. Ilyas, spokesperson for AIMPLB and national coordinator of the Save Waqf Campaign, indicated that the bandh was postponed due to upcoming religious festivals coinciding with the same date in various states.
"Reports suggested that many religious celebrations for our fellow citizens are set for October 3 in several regions. Considering this, the Board consulted and unanimously agreed to delay the bandh," he stated.
While the bandh is currently deferred, the AIMPLB reaffirmed that its campaign against the Waqf Amendment Act will persist through other protest initiatives already outlined.
"Although the Bharat Bandh is postponed, Insha’Allah, new dates will be revealed soon. The movement against the anti-Waqf law will progress as planned," Ilyas concluded.
The bandh was expected to occur from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Friday, October 3, with a call for the closure of businesses, offices, and commercial entities. However, essential medical services, hospitals, and pharmacies were to remain operational. The new date for the bandh will be announced shortly, according to the AIMPLB.
The AIMPLB has been leading a national campaign against the Waqf Amendment Act, asserting that it undermines the independence of Waqf institutions and infringes on the rights of the Muslim population.
The Board has already conducted public meetings, rallies, and signature drives throughout various states, announcing a phased approach for its protests, including a nationwide shutdown.