New Delhi:
Thousands of people gathered on the streets of Kolkata, Chennai and Ahmedabad on Friday – after weekly prayer by the Muslim community – to protest Waqf Amendment Bill Passed by Parliament this week.
The scene of the capital of Bengal showed a large crowd waving the national flag and carrying the poster ‘We reject Waqf Amendment’ and ‘Reject Waqf Bill’ gathering at public meeting sites. News agency ANI said many protests were organized by the United Forum for Waqf Protection
Protests in Ahmedabad suggested more charged environment; In a video shared by ANI, the police tried to forcibly remove the elderly protesters on the road. Police detained the All India Majlis-e-Itihadul Muslim, or AIMIM, and the head of its 40-member state unit.
Similar scenes were seen in Chennai, where Tamilga Vatri Kazgam of actor Vijay announced a state -wide protest. TV workers gathered in Chennai and major cities, such as Coimbatore and Tiruchirappalli, and raised slogans like ‘not reject Waqf Bill’ and ‘Do not overcome Muslims’.
#Watch Ahmedabad: Various Muslim organizations protest against the Waqf Amendment Bill. pic.twitter.com/viavsuqf3d
– Year (@ani) 4 April, 2025
Tamil actor – Rajneeta – was seen rapidly as a dark horse before next year’s assembly elections – the Waqf bill is called “anti -democratic” and said that its path asks the questions of the secular foundation of India.
#Watch West Bengal: Muslim community members take the streets in Kolkata to protest against the Waqf Amendment Bill. pic.twitter.com/pkzrivaylz
– Year (@ani) 4 April, 2025
There was also tension in Lucknow.
Ashish Srivastava of Deputy Commissioner of Police (Central Lucknow) said, “We have asked everyone to create an opinion only after reading the entire bill and we are constantly monitoring social media …”
Protests in Bengal will join the fire brooing before next year’s election, Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee had already said that it would not allow the Muslims of the state to lose their land.
Accusing the BJP of trying to divide the country, an allegation was also made by the Congress – he announced that the bill would be canceled when the new non -BJP government form the central government.
A concern of all these protesters is that the new WAQF laws will be retrospectively implemented, affecting existing properties. However, Union Minority Affairs Minister Kiren Rijiju told Parliament this week (and he was supported by Union Home Minister Amit Shah). It is a possibility in nature.
Changes in Waqf laws – which control how Muslim charitable properties are controlled – MPs were approved by Parliament about 20 hours after trade; Opposition people called it “anti -Muslim”, while the people of the Treasury Bench welcomed the “historical reform”.
Read | Waqf Bill cleaned Lok Sabha with 288 votes, against 232
The Waqf Amendment Bill – which now only needs to be the consent (a formality) law of President Draupadi Murmu – first by 288 votes to the Lok Sabha by 232, and then the Rajya Sabha was approved by 128-95.
Read | Waqf Bill passed against 95, with 128 votes by Rajya Sabha
Amidst major changes, the modified Waqf law nominate the enrollment of two non-Muslim members and the Central Waqf Council. For this also, people donating to practice ‘Muslims’ at least five years ago need to certify themselves.
These and many other concerns raised by the Muslims and the opposition, the people who fear that the Center would capture the Waqf boards, was rejected by Mr. Rijiju as they introduced the Waqf Bill in Parliament.
He insisted that non-Muslims cannot interfere in Waqf Board matters, as its management, construction and beneficiaries will remain especially from the Muslim community.
The debate on the Waqf Bill saw fierce jab and bitter rhetoric from both sides.
Congress MP Sonia Gandhi called it a “Brezen attack” on the constitution and accused the BJP of demanding the society to be kept in a state of permanent polarization “. In a meeting of his party MPs, the senior Congress leader also said that the bill had become “bulldozer” through the Rajya Sabha.
Read | “History Made But But You Steel Bullding”: Kiren Rijiju targeted Sonia Gandhi
A fierce BJP demanded that he apologize. In a press conference on Friday afternoon, Mr. Rijiju said that the Rajya Sabha had argued on the Waqf Bill for 17 hours and two minutes.
The Lok Sabha debate lasted for more than 12 hours.
With input from agencies
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