A simmering crisis turned into open outrage on December 26, as a group of 250 Imams and Muazzins, employed under the Delhi Waqf Board, protested outside the residence of former Delhi Chief Minister and Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) supremo Arvind Kejriwal. The protest highlighted the plight of these religious leaders, whose meager salaries—ranging between Rs 16,000 and Rs 18,000—have been pending for an unprecedented 17 months.
Led by Maulana Sajid Rashidi, President of the All India Imam Association, the aggrieved religious leaders demanded immediate action, accusing the Delhi government of turning a deaf ear to their repeated appeals. Their demands, they assert, are not for charity but for justice.
The Imams arrived at Kejriwal’s Ferozshah Road residence in a peaceful dharna early December 26 morning, seeking a direct dialogue. However, security personnel barred them from entering the premises, sparking further frustration among the group. “We have come here to meet Kejriwal and demand the release of our rightful dues, but instead of addressing us, we are being stopped at the gates,” Rashidi said.
#WATCH | Delhi WAQF Imams led by President of All India Imam Association, Maulana Sajid Rasidi, reach the residence of former Delhi CM Arvind Kejriwal over their demand to release their salaries pending for last 17 months
Maulana Sajid Rasidi says, "We have come here with a… pic.twitter.com/lWV2CgWnT9
— ANI (@ANI) December 26, 2024
Speaking on behalf of the protesting group, Rashidi shared harrowing accounts of financial struggles. “For 17 months, we have survived on borrowed money, goodwill, and prayers. Our families are in distress, and we cannot even provide basic necessities to them. It is shameful that a government that claims to work for the common man has ignored our plight for so long,” he said.
The Imams and Muazzins have been grappling with this issue for months. Despite their appeals to various authorities, including Delhi Chief Minister Atishi and Lieutenant Governor VK Saxena, the matter remains unresolved. Rashidi accused the government of offering hollow promises without tangible outcomes.
“Every time we approach the government, they assure us that our issue will be resolved. But here we are—17 months later—still pleading for what is ours,” Rashidi stated.
The government had previously released salaries for some employees in three instalments of five months each. However, a significant number of Imams and Muazzins remain unpaid, leaving them disillusioned and angry.
Rashidi emphasised that the protest was apolitical and solely aimed at securing their rights. “We are not here to play politics. We are here to demand what is rightfully ours—a salary for the work we do. This is not a privilege; it is our basic right,” he declared.
The delay in salary payments has left many struggling to make ends meet. “Our children’s education has been disrupted. We cannot pay rent or medical bills. The situation is dire, and the government’s indifference is only making it worse,” said one Imam who participated in the protest.
The protestors expressed frustration at Kejriwal’s apparent inaccessibility. “We have knocked on every door, including Kejriwal’s. How can a leader who claims to champion justice ignore us like this?” Rashidi questioned.
While Kejriwal has reportedly scheduled a meeting with the representatives for December 28 at 5 p.m., many remain skeptical. “We have been given meeting times before, but nothing changes. If this meeting does not yield results, we will escalate our protests,” Rashidi warned.
The issue has broader implications, exposing glaring administrative inefficiencies in the disbursement of salaries under the Waqf Board. Critics argue that the Delhi government’s mishandling of the situation reflects a systemic failure to prioritise marginalised communities.
This is not the first time Waqf Board employees have faced such challenges. Similar protests have occurred in the past, pointing to a recurring failure to ensure timely payments. The repeated lapses have eroded trust and heightened tensions between the religious community and the AAP government.
