Mass Protests Sweep Across India After Passage of Waqf Amendment Bill

Just hours after both Houses of Parliament passed the Waqf Amendment Bill, large-scale protests broke out across multiple cities on Friday, particularly after the Muslim community’s weekly prayers.

In Kolkata, visuals showed massive gatherings waving the Indian national flag and holding placards reading “Reject Waqf Amendment” and “We Oppose the Waqf Bill.” The demonstrations were largely led by the Joint Forum for Waqf Protection, according to reports by ANI.

In Ahmedabad, protests took on a more intense character. Footage shared by ANI showed elderly demonstrators seated on roads, resisting police efforts to disperse them. Similar scenes were witnessed in Chennai, where the Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK), a political outfit led by actor Vijay, organized statewide protests.

TVK workers assembled not just in Chennai but also in major cities like Coimbatore and Tiruchirappalli, raising slogans such as “Reject the Waqf Bill” and “Don’t Take Away Muslim Rights.” Vijay, increasingly seen as a potential key player in the upcoming state elections, called the bill “anti-democratic” and questioned its alignment with India’s secular values.

“The BJP is trying to divide the country,” alleged Vijay. Echoing the Congress party’s criticism, he vowed the bill would be repealed if a new, non-BJP government came to power.

A central concern among protesters is that the new Waqf provisions may apply retroactively, potentially impacting existing properties. However, Union Minority Affairs Minister Kiren Rijiju, supported by Home Minister Amit Shah, assured Parliament that the bill is prospective in nature and will not affect past holdings.