Thousands took to the streets of Kolkata, Chennai, and Ahmedabad of India on Friday, following weekly prayers by the Muslim community, to protest against the Waqf (Amendment) Bill, 2025 recently passed by Parliament.

In Kolkata, large crowds gathered at public meeting sites, waving the national flag and holding posters that read, ‘We reject Waqf Amendment’ and ‘Reject Waqf Bill’. According to news agency ANI, many of these protests were coordinated by the Joint Forum for Waqf Protection.

Ahmedabad saw a more intense protest, as visuals shared by ANI depicted police attempting to forcibly remove elderly protestors sitting on the road.

In Chennai, actor Vijay’s Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam had called for a statewide protest, leading to gatherings in key cities such as Coimbatore and Tiruchirappalli. Protestors chanted slogans like ‘Reject the Waqf Bill’ and ‘Do not take away Muslims’ rights’. Vijay criticised the Bill, calling it “anti-democratic” and questioning its impact on India’s secular principles.

In West Bengal, the protests add to the political tension as the state gears up for elections next year. Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee has already declared that she will not allow the state’s Muslim population to lose their lands. Accusing the BJP of attempting to create divisions, she, along with the Congress, asserted that the Bill would be repealed if a non-BJP government comes to power at the Centre.

Concerns among protestors

A major concern among protesters is the possibility of the new Waqf laws being applied retroactively, potentially impacting existing properties. However, Union Minority Affairs Minister Kiren Rijiju, backed by Union Home Minister Amit Shah, clarified in Parliament that the bill is prospective in nature.

The amendments to Waqf laws, which regulate Muslim charitable properties, were approved after nearly 20 hours of heated debates in Parliament. While the Opposition denounced it as ‘anti-Muslim’, the ruling party hailed it as a ‘historic reform’.

The Bill, which now requires President Droupadi Murmu’s approval to become law, passed the Lok Sabha with 288 votes in favour and 232 against, followed by a 128-95 vote in the Rajya Sabha.

Source: Business Standard, India