Delhi, April 7 (V7N) - Following the approval of the Waqf Amendment Bill by Parliament earlier this week, thousands of demonstrators took to the streets across India on Friday, voicing their opposition to the controversial legislation.
Protests were reported in major cities, including Kolkata, Chennai, and Ahmedabad, as well as other parts of the country.
In Kolkata, West Bengal, large crowds gathered at Park Circus Crossing, demanding the immediate withdrawal of the bill.
Protesters accused the ruling BJP of using its parliamentary majority to push through the legislation, which they claim aims to divide the nation and target Muslim properties.
“This is not just an attempt to seize Muslim properties but also malign us,” said one protester, as reported by NDTV.
In Chennai, Tamil Nadu, actor Vijay’s Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK) organized a nationwide protest, with members chanting slogans such as “Reject the Waqf Bill” and “Do not take away Muslims’ rights.”
Similar protests were held in Coimbatore and other cities, drawing widespread participation.
Ahmedabad, Gujarat, witnessed protests outside the historic Sidi Saiyyed Mosque, renowned for its intricate jaalis (latticed walls).
The All India Majlis-e-Ittehadul Muslimeen (AIMIM) led the demonstrations, with participants holding signs and posters denouncing the Bill and the Gujarat government’s committee for the Uniform Civil Code (UCC).
AIMIM’s social media coordinator, Shoab Rizwi, revealed that the protests had been planned two days in advance. Police arrested around 50 individuals, including AIMIM Gujarat President Sabir Kabliwala.
In Uttar Pradesh’s Muzaffarnagar district, authorities issued notices to over 300 residents who had worn black armbands during prayers on Alvida Jummah, the final Friday of Ramadan, to protest the Bill.
The residents were asked to appear before a magistrate and provide a bond of Rs2 lakh each, according to The Times of India.
Bihar also saw unrest, with Muslim leaders from the ruling Janata Dal United (JDU) expressing disappointment in Chief Minister Nitish Kumar’s stance on the Bill.
Meanwhile, the Yogi Adityanath administration in Uttar Pradesh announced plans to confiscate properties “illegally” designated as Waqf.
State government sources indicated that district magistrates had been instructed to identify and seize such properties, with official records listing only 2,963 Waqf properties, while unrecorded properties reportedly exceed 1.30 lakh.
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