Overview
- AIMPLB’s published roadmap calls for a nationwide shutdown on October 3 from 8 am to 2 pm with medical stores exempted.
- The plan outlines Waqf marches toward Rashtrapati Bhavan and state Raj Bhavans, a protest at Jantar Mantar on October 11 with voluntary arrests, and a mass gathering at Ramlila Maidan on November 16.
- VHP president Alok Kumar asked the Centre and states to keep a close watch, warning of possible law-and-order disruptions and urging the Supreme Court to take cognisance of what he termed pressure on the judiciary.
- VHP also appealed to citizens, particularly Hindus, to remain vigilant and coordinate with local authorities as the bandh call is being promoted on social media as a “Bharat Bandh.”
- On September 15, the Supreme Court stayed select provisions of the Waqf (Amendment) Act, including the five-year practice-of-Islam clause, but declined to halt the entire statute, a decision AIMPLB chief Maulana Khalid Saifullah Rahmani criticized while asserting the law violates fundamental rights.