MT Desk: Thousands of people gathered in Jalgaon, Maharashtra, this week to protest against the Waqf (Amendment) Act 2025, which Muslim organisations have described as a “black law” and a “direct attack on religious freedom.”

According to Kashmir Media Service, the protest, organised by the Tehaffuz Auqaf Committee Jalgaon (Save Waqf Committee), was held under the banner of the “Jail Bharo Andolan”, a movement initiated by the All India Muslim Personal Law Board (AIMPLB).

Despite not receiving police permission, Jalgaon became the first district in India to conduct the full-scale agitation peacefully.

Earlier, the AIMPLB had attempted a similar protest at Jantar Mantar in Delhi on October 12, but this time, the call resonated strongly in Maharashtra’s Jalgaon district.

The protest began with a two-hour sit-in, after which nearly 2,000 protesters were detained by police and kept at the Zila Peth police station. They were released later in the evening.

Speaking to reporters, organiser Farooq Shaikh said, “We surrendered to the police voluntarily. This movement involved not only Muslims but people from all communities and political backgrounds who believe in justice, equality, and the Constitution.”

He added, “Jalgaon has peacefully led this national movement. Our message is clear: we will not accept this unconstitutional law at any cost.”

A delegation led by Mufti Khalid, President of the Tehaffuz Waqf Committee, met Additional Collector Shrimant Harkar and submitted a memorandum addressed to the President of India containing five key demands.

The demands include immediate withdrawal of the Waqf (Amendment) Act 2025, ending the central government’s control over Waqf properties, establishment of independent and transparent Waqf boards run by the community, strict action against encroachment and illegal transfer of Waqf land and extension of the e-registration deadline for mosques, madrasas, and dargahs