Kolkata 'tense' after Waqf Amendment Bill's passage in Rajya Sabha

Kolkata: Members of various Muslim organisations take part in a protest against the passage of the Waqf (Amendment) Bill in the Parliament, in Kolkata, Friday, April 4, 2025. (PTI Photo)(PTI04_04_2025_000256B)

Protesters rallied against the Waqf Amendment Bill on the streets of Kolkata on Friday blocking roads and voicing their opposition.

The Bill received approval from the Rajya Sabha after a lengthy 13-hour debate with 128 votes in favour and 95 against it. It was passed in the Lok Sabha early Thursday, with 288 members supporting the legislation and 232 against it.

“This bill is a ploy by the BJP to divide the country. They have passed the bill in both Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha due to their majority. We oppose this authoritarian approach. This is not just an attempt to seize Muslim properties but also malign us,” one of the protesters told The Hindu.

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 the news agency ANI, many of these protests were coordinated by the Joint Forum for Waqf Protection.

How many Waqf properties are there in Bengal?

According to official data, the Waqf Board has registered 8,72,328 immovable and 16,713 moveable properties. There are also 3,56,051 Waqf Estates registered with the Waqf Board.

According to reports, Uttar Pradesh has the largest share of Waqf properties, accounting for 27% of the national total with 2,32,547 properties. Other states with significant Waqf assets include West Bengal with 80,480 properties, Punjab with 75,965 properties, Tamil Nadu with 66,092 properties, and Karnataka with 62,830 properties.

Why is there a protest?

The protesters argue that the proposed changes will be detrimental rather than beneficial to the Muslim community. They claim that the Bill is an attempt to weaken the autonomy of Waqf properties and seize lands that have been historically dedicated for religious and charitable purposes.

Senior members of the All India Muslim Personal Law Board (AIMPLB) have also denounced the Bill, stating that their concerns were disregarded by the Joint Parliamentary Committee (JPC).

The amendments to a 1995 law governing Muslim endowments would add non-Muslims to boards that manage such properties and give the government a larger role in validating their land holdings.

The discussion over the bill in Parliament witnessed staunch objections from Opposition parties, which termed it "anti-Muslim" and "unconstitutional", with the government responding that the "historic reform" would benefit the minority community.

What does Mamata’s government say?

West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee alleged that the BJP brought the Bill to “divide the country".

"...This was done intentionally, politically, to divide the country...But one day, they will go away, and the other Government will come. At that time, you must remember there will be another amendment, and it will be passed in Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha,” she said.

The Trinamool Congress is part of the INDIA bloc which has been rallying allies to oppose the Waqf (Amendment) Bill.

Protests held in other cities

Protests were also held in Ahmedabad and authorities had heightened the security ahead of Friday prayers after the Bill was passed. A video shared by the news agency showed police trying to forcibly remove protestors occupying the road. Reportedly, the police detained the AIMIM’S state unit chief and 40 of its members.

Similar scenes were witnessed in Chennai, Thiruvananthapuram, Bengaluru, Lucknow where the protestors held protests against the Bill.