15-minute lights-off movement sees massive participation in cities like Delhi, Mumbai, and Hyderabad, and other parts of the country including UP, Bihar, MP, WB and south and north India
New Delhi: Millions of households including non-Muslims, led by the All India Muslim Personal Law Board (AIMPLB), switched off their lights from 9:00 PM to 9:15 PM on the evening of 30 April, in a powerful and peaceful protest dubbed the ‘Batti Gul Movement’. This symbolic 15-minute blackout swept across cities including Delhi, Lucknow, Hyderabad, Kolkata, Patna, Ahmedabad, Mumbai, Bhopal, Bengaluru, and the small town of Bhatkal in Karnataka, sending a resounding message to the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP)-led government. The protest was a direct response to the Waqf Amendment Act, which critics, particularly Indian Muslims, condemn as an unconstitutional assault on their religious and fundamental rights.
The Waqf Amendment Act, passed by Parliament on 3 April and receiving presidential node on 5 April, has sparked outrage among Indian Muslims, who see it as a calculated move by the Hindu nationalist BJP to undermine their community’s autonomy. The Act introduces provisions such as appointing non-Muslims to Waqf boards, removing the requirement for a Muslim CEO, and increasing government oversight of Waqf properties—lands and buildings dedicated for religious or charitable purposes under Islamic law. These changes, opponents argue, threaten the sanctity of Waqf institutions, which include historic mosques, schools, and orphanages, and pave the way for government seizure of Muslim properties.
“This law is a black stain on our Constitution,” said Asaduddin Owaisi, MP and president of the All India Majlis-e-Ittehad-ul-Muslimeen (AIMIM), who switched off the lights at his Hyderabad residence and AIMIM headquarters in Darussalam. “I appeal to all Indians to reject this Act, which violates Articles 14, 15, 25, and 26, guaranteeing equality and religious freedom. We’re sending a clear message to PM Modi: this is an attack on our rights, and we won’t stay silent.” Owaisi’s video of the blackout, shared widely on social media, showed darkened streets in Hyderabad, a testament to the protest’s scale.
In Lucknow, Maulana Khalid Rasheed Firangi Mahali, Imam of the Eidgah, led the protest, urging residents to join the lights-off movement. “People in Lucknow have shown their anger peacefully,” he said. “This Act threatens our religious institutions. We will continue protesting in every city until this bill is scrapped.” Visuals from Lucknow’s Akbari Gate showed entire neighbourhoods plunged into darkness, with residents offering prayers during the blackout.
The protest’s success was particularly evident in Mumbai, where Muslim-majority areas like Nagpada, Madanpura, Bhendi Bazar, Bandra, Andheri, Jogeshwari, Nala Sopara, Mira Road, Thane, Mumbra, and Bhiwandi saw near-total participation. Young Muslims took to the streets, urging shopkeepers and households to switch off lights. Abu Azmi, Samajwadi Party MLA, shared images of darkened streets in Colaba, calling the protest “a historic stand against injustice.” He added, “Waqf properties are our collective trust. The BJP’s law is a direct attack on our faith and identity.”
In Delhi’s Shaheen Bagh, a hub of resistance since the 2019 Citizenship Amendment Act protests, residents gathered in solidarity, switching off lights and holding placards reading, “Save Waqf, Save Constitution.” A local activist, Ayesha Khan, said, “This isn’t just about Muslims. It’s about protecting India’s secular fabric. The BJP wants to control our mosques and schools, but we won’t let them.”
In Bhatkal, Karnataka, the protest was a striking display of community unity. Lights went off across Sultan Street, Jamia Street, Khalifa Street, and other Muslim areas, with shops closing and residents offering special prayers. Abdul Raqib MJ Nadvi, General Secretary of Majlis Islah and Tanzeem, praised the response: “Our people showed the government that we reject this anti-Islamic law. Bhatkal stands with the AIMPLB, and we’ll support every peaceful protest.” The Bhatkal Muslim Youth Federation echoed this, vowing to back future movements.
Aurangabad, Maharashtra, also saw widespread participation, with areas like Buddy Lane, Younis Colony, Shah Bazar, and Baiji Pura joining the blackout. Ilyas Falahi of Jamaat-e-Islami described the protest as “a massive success.” He said, “The BJP is trying to push Muslims into darkness with this law, but we’ve shown our strength by choosing darkness ourselves for 15 minutes. This is just the start.”
AIMPLB Spokesperson SQR Ilyas which launched its ‘Save Waqf, Save Constitution’ campaign on 10 April, declared the protest a triumph. said, “This symbolic act has united Muslims and justice-loving Indians against these dark amendments. From Kolkata to Bengaluru, our message is clear: we reject this law.” Ilyas highlighted the campaign’s broader strategy, including a major sit-in planned for Hyderabad on 1 June, a human chain on 25 May, and a women’s gathering at Masab Tank’s Eidgah Bilali on 22 May.
AIMPLB General Secretary Maulana Fazlur Rahim Mujaddidi framed the protest as a bold stand. “Switching off lights isn’t weakness—it’s our resolve to fight for our rights,” he said. “This law interferes with our religious affairs and violates the Constitution. We’ll take this battle to the Supreme Court and the streets.” The AIMPLB has already filed petitions challenging the Act’s constitutional validity, with a hearing scheduled for 5 May.
The protest’s peaceful nature was a point of pride, with no reports of violence or disorder. In Hyderabad, police cooperation ensured smooth execution, with Owaisi thanking Commissioner CV Anand for support. In Mumbai, despite tight security and police blockades, the blackout proceeded without incident, even as lifts in skyscrapers were halted for 15 minutes.
Critics of the Waqf Amendment Act, particularly Indian Muslims, see it as part of a broader Hindu nationalist agenda driven by the BJP to marginalise minorities. The Act’s provision to include non-Muslims in Waqf management has drawn sharp comparisons to Hindu religious institutions, which face no similar interference. For instance, the Tirumala-Tirupati Devasthanam (TTD) recently passed a resolution to employ only Hindus, yet the BJP has pushed for non-Muslim oversight of Muslim Waqf boards.
Renowned Islamic scholar Padmashri Akhtarul Wasey called the Act “a betrayal of India’s secular ethos.” In an interview, he said, “Muslims led India’s freedom struggle alongside others, yet the BJP paints us as outsiders. This law legalises government control over our mosques and charities, while Hindu temples remain untouched. It’s blatant discrimination.” Wasey praised the ‘Batti Gul’ protest as a democratic expression, noting its use during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Legal experts have echoed these concerns. Advocate Zafar Ahmed, a constitutional lawyer, said, “The Act violates Articles 25 and 26, which guarantee religious freedom and the right to manage religious institutions. By appointing non-Muslims to Waqf boards, the government is undermining minority autonomy. This is a dangerous precedent.” Ahmed predicted the Supreme Court would face pressure to strike down the law, given its “clear unconstitutionality.”
The BJP, however, defends the Act, claiming it enhances transparency and protects women’s inheritance rights. BJP spokesperson Shehzad Poonawalla accused the AIMPLB of “inciting riots” and dismissed protests as “vote bank politics.” He said, “The amendments benefit poor Muslims, widows, and orphans. Opponents are misleading the community for political gain.” Critics counter that such claims mask the BJP’s intent to control Waqf properties, estimated to be worth over $14 billion, including historic sites like Delhi’s Jama Masjid.
For Indian Muslims, particularly those in minority-heavy areas, the ‘Batti Gul’ protest was more than a symbolic act—it was a reclaiming of agency. In Kolkata, students from Aliah University marched with banners reading, “Constitutional rights cannot be denied,” reflecting the community’s resolve. In Bhopal, thousands protested peacefully, with one resident, Fatima Begum, saying, “Our mosques and schools are our heritage. The BJP can’t take them away. We’ll fight with peace and prayers.”
The protest also highlighted the BJP’s strained ties with its allies. The AIMPLB has targeted parties like JD(U), TDP, and LJP, which supported the bill, accusing them of abandoning secular values. “Their secular mask is off,” said Ilyas, warning of political consequences. In Bihar, Muslim organisations boycotted Chief Minister Nitish Kumar’s Iftar event over his party’s stance, underscoring growing distrust.
Yet, the BJP’s narrative has found traction among some Hindu groups, who view Waqf properties as “encroached” lands. Social media posts have fuelled this sentiment, with one user claiming, “Waqf boards grab land unconstitutionally. The bill is a step to reclaim India.” Such rhetoric, critics argue, reveals the BJP’s strategy to stoke communal tensions, painting Muslims as threats to national integrity.
Urdu journalist Aziz Burney offered a cautious perspective, urging the AIMPLB to avoid actions that could alienate Hindus. “We must protest, but let’s not fall into the BJP’s trap of division,” he wrote on Facebook. “Conferences and dialogue are better than symbolic acts that might be misunderstood.” However, younger Muslims, like Hyderabad’s Syed Abdahu Kashaf, rejected this, tweeting, “Hyderabad stands strong against #WaqfAmendmentAct. Our voice won’t be silenced.”
The ‘Batti Gul’ protest marks the beginning of a sustained campaign. The AIMPLB plans further demonstrations, including a massive gathering at Delhi’s Ramlila Maidan on 13 July, alongside legal challenges in the Supreme Court. Owaisi announced plans for human chains and roundtable conferences within weeks, aiming to broaden the movement’s appeal. “This isn’t just a Muslim issue—it’s about India’s Constitution,” he said.
For Indian Muslims, the protest was a moment of unity and defiance against a government they see as increasingly hostile. In Bhatkal, Mubashir Hussain Hilare summed up the sentiment: “We switched off our lights to show the BJP we’re not afraid. Our faith and our rights are non-negotiable.”
As the Supreme Court prepares to hear the case, the nation watches closely. The ‘Batti Gul’ movement has exposed deep fault lines, with Indian Muslims asserting their place in a country where they fear their rights are under siege. For now, their message is clear: they will fight, peacefully but fiercely, to protect their heritage and constitutional guarantees.