Thu Apr 10 03:18:28 UTC 2025: ## Anti-Waqf Act Protest Leads to Clashes at Calicut Airport

**MALAPPURAM, April 10, 2025** – A protest against the Waqf Amendment Act turned violent on Wednesday evening near Calicut International Airport in Karipur, Kerala. The Solidarity Youth Movement and the Students Islamic Organisation (SIO) organized a march to the airport, which was met with a police crackdown involving lathicharge and water cannons.

Several protestors were reportedly injured during the clashes. Police arrested several key organizers, including the state presidents of both Solidarity and SIO, along with other prominent leaders. Those arrested included Thoufeek Mampad (Solidarity), Abdul Wahid (SIO), Aneesh Mullassery (Solidarity), Sabiq Vettam (Solidarity), Arfad Ali (SIO), Asnah Tanur (SIO), and Mohammed Shafi.

The march was inaugurated by Malik Mohtasim Khan, a member of the All India Muslim Personal Law Board and national vice president of Jamat-e-Islami. Khan denounced the Waqf Amendment Act as an attack on religious freedom and constitutional rights.

Fr. Y.T. Vinayaraj, director of the Christian Institute for the Study of Religion and Society (CSIRS), delivered a keynote address urging the Church to reconsider its stance on the issue, warning of the Sangh Parivar’s divisive tactics. Several other speakers from various political and social organizations also addressed the protestors. The protestors described the act as “genocidal”.

The protest highlights growing concerns over the implications of the recently amended Waqf Act and the potential for further unrest.

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