Waqf Bill Vs Bengal
Bengal regarding the Waqf Bill is centered around significant protests and strong political reactions following the recent enactment of the Waqf (Amendment) Act, 2025.Here’s a summary of the key developments on what happening and how it impact on daily life:
Widespread Protests: Massive protests have erupted across West Bengal, particularly in Muslim-dominated areas like Murshidabad and Kolkata. Demonstrators are expressing strong opposition to the Waqf (Amendment) Act, 2025, claiming it infringes on the rights of the Muslim community and aims to seize Waqf properties.
Violence in Murshidabad: Protests in Murshidabad turned violent on Friday, April 11, 2025, after Friday prayers. Agitators blocked National Highway 34, pelted stones at police vehicles, and even set some on fire, resulting in injuries to at least ten policemen. This led to heightened security in the district.
Kolkata Rallies: A large rally was organized in Kolkata on Thursday, April 10, 2025, by Jamiat-e-Ulema Hind. The organization plans to send a memorandum with a claimed “one crore signatures” to Prime Minister Narendra Modi, demanding the revocation of the Act. They have also announced a crowdfunding campaign to support legal challenges against the law in the Supreme Court.
Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee’s Stance: West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee has vehemently opposed the Waqf (Amendment) Act and declared that her government will not implement it in the state. Speaking at a program on Wednesday, April 9, 2025, she assured the minority communities of her protection and stated that the law was an attempt to “divide and rule.” She also questioned the timing of the legislation, especially considering the significant minority population in Bengal.
Source: Google
Political Fallout: The Waqf Bill has become a major point of contention between the ruling Trinamool Congress (TMC) and the opposition BJP. Banerjee has accused the BJP of bringing the bill to divide the country, while the BJP alleges that Banerjee’s opposition is appeasement politics.
Legal Challenges: Several opposition parties and Muslim organizations across the country are reportedly planning to challenge the constitutional validity of the Waqf (Amendment) Act in the Supreme Court.
Impact on Daily Life: The protests and related violence have disrupted daily life in some parts of Bengal. Train services have been affected, with cancellations and diversions reported due to the unrest.
In essence, the Waqf (Amendment) Act, 2025, has triggered significant upheaval in West Bengal, marked by widespread protests, violence in some areas, and strong political opposition from the state government, which has vowed not to implement the law. The situation is likely to remain tense as legal challenges are pursued and protests continue.
Source:NDTV, Hindustan Times, The Times of India, Google
