The Waqf (Amendment) Act, 2025, has sparked intense protests across West Bengal, particularly in Muslim-majority areas like Murshidabad, Malda, and South 24 Parganas, turning the state into a hotspot of unrest. Here’s a breakdown of what’s driving the chaos and why it matters.
What’s Behind the Protests?
The Waqf Act governs properties donated for Islamic charitable purposes, managed by Waqf boards. The 2025 amendments, passed by Parliament in early April, aim to reform this system but have ignited controversy. Key changes include:
- Non-Muslim Representation: Mandating two non-Muslim members on state Waqf boards and the central Waqf council, seen by critics as government overreach into Muslim affairs.
- Stricter Regulations: Requiring donors to certify they’ve been “practicing Muslims” for five years and streamlining property registration, which some fear could lead to disputes or land grabs.
- Centralized Oversight: Provisions that critics argue give the central government excessive control over Waqf properties, raising fears of mismanagement or appropriation.
Opponents, including Muslim organizations and opposition parties, claim the Act violates religious autonomy and the Constitution’s secular principles. In West Bengal, Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee has vocally opposed it, declaring the state won’t implement the law, which she calls a “divide and rule” tactic by the BJP-led central government. Her stance has galvanized protests, with groups like the Joint Forum for Waqf Protection and students from Aliah University rallying against the amendments.
The protests turned violent starting April 8, with clashes in Murshidabad’s Suti and Samserganj areas. Demonstrators blocked roads and railway tracks, torched vehicles (including police vans and buses), and pelted stones at security forces. Police responded with lathi charges, tear gas, and, in some cases, firing—resulting in at least three deaths, including a father-son duo hacked to death and a teenager killed by a bullet wound. Over 200 arrests have been made, internet services were suspended, and the Calcutta High Court ordered central forces deployed to restore order.
Why the Turmoil?
Several factors fuel the unrest:
- Political Polarization: The BJP, which pushed the Act, frames it as a step toward transparency and curbing Waqf board corruption. Critics, including the TMC and Congress, accuse the BJP of targeting Muslims for electoral gains ahead of West Bengal’s 2026 assembly elections. BJP leaders like Suvendu Adhikari have called the protests a “premeditated assault on democracy,” while TMC alleges BJP provocation.
- Communal Tensions: Murshidabad, with a significant Muslim population, has a history of communal friction. The violence, including vandalism and deaths, has deepened mistrust, with some BJP leaders claiming Hindus are unsafe, escalating communal rhetoric.
- Misinformation and Rumors: Police and officials cite rumors as a trigger for the violence, with social media amplifying tensions. The internet shutdown aimed to curb this but also fueled distrust.
- Economic Stakes: Waqf properties include valuable land, and fears of government takeover resonate deeply in communities dependent on these assets for mosques, schools, and charities.
Why Should You Care?
This isn’t just a local issue—it’s a microcosm of broader challenges:
- Religious Freedom vs. State Control: The debate over the Waqf Act tests India’s balance between secular governance and religious autonomy. If the state can dictate how religious properties are managed, what’s next?
- Social Cohesion: The violence highlights how quickly communal tensions can spiral, threatening lives and livelihoods. With three dead and families fleeing Murshidabad, the human cost is stark.
- Political Precedent: Mamata’s refusal to implement a central law raises questions about federal authority. If states can opt out of parliamentary legislation, it could weaken India’s legal framework.
- National Implications: Protests aren’t limited to West Bengal—Ahmedabad, Chennai, and Manipur have seen similar unrest. The Supreme Court will hear challenges to the Act on April 16, and its ruling could reshape how religious endowments are governed nationwide.
The Bigger Picture
The Waqf Act protests expose fault lines in India’s social and political fabric. On one hand, the government argues reforms are needed to modernize Waqf management; on the other, critics see an attack on minority rights. Both sides have valid points: Waqf boards have faced corruption allegations, but top-down changes risk alienating communities. Add election-year politics, and you’ve got a recipe for volatility.
For now, West Bengal limps back to normalcy, with shops reopening and central forces patrolling. But the underlying issues—trust deficits, communal divides, and governance disputes—aren’t going away. If you’re wondering whether this matters beyond India, consider how fast local grievances can fuel global debates about religion, power, and justice. Keep an eye on the Supreme Court’s ruling—it could either calm the storm or fan the flames.
