IUML: Trust SC; Centre’s act shows ‘chowkidar chor hai’

Kozhikode: Tens of thousands of people converged at Kozhikode beach on Wednesday evening for IUML's mega rally against the amended Waqf Act (2025). Inaugurating the rally, IUML state president Panakkad Sadikali Shihab Thangal said his party had faith in the Supreme Court and added that the ongoing fight against the Act was necessary to protect democracy and it is impossible for the apex court to reject it.
"The hearing in the case will continue tomorrow. The fact that SC has come forward to hear the arguments of respondents points to the unconstitutionality of Waqf Amendment Act. We can expect justice from the Supreme Court," he said.
Thangal said the biggest challenge for India in the amended Waqf Act was that the ‘watchman was becoming the encroacher'. "Through the new Act, Centre is implementing ways to easily encroach on waqf properties. Earlier someone had said ‘Chowkidar Chor Hai'… Now Centre is implementing that in waqf," said Thangal, adding that the Act was a conspiracy to usurp large amounts of waqf properties held by dargahs, masjids and mazars (shrines or mausoleums).
He said central and state govts were trying to exploit Munambam land dispute for political gains. He said IUML will stand with the people of Munambam and resolve the issue.
IUML national president Khader Moideen said the amended Waqf Act was actually Waqf Annihilation Act as the Centre wants to end waqf. "We believe in the Supreme Court and in its honesty. We believe that SC will give us the right judgment. The Supreme Court was positive while hearing arguments today," he said.
IUML national general secretary PK Kunhalikutty said just as the Centre was trying to stoke communal tensions by amending the Waqf Act, state govt was doing the same thing by delaying a resolution at Munambam. "Munambam row can be resolved in five minutes if state govt wants. But LDF is trying to pit two minority communities, who vote for UDF, against each other and force some of them to rally behind Narendra Modi," he added.
Karnataka revenue minister Krishna Byre Gowda, Telangana rural development minister D Anasuya Seethakka among others spoke at the rally.