The Bill, passed by both Houses of Parliament, awaits the President’s assent to become law.
Protests in Karnataka, West Bengal, Gujarat, Tamil Nadu
Protestors gathered in cities like Bengaluru, Kolkata, Ahmedabad, and Chennai, as seen in visuals shared by ANI.
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#WATCH | Ahmedabad: Various Muslim organisations hold protests against the Waqf Amendment Bill. pic.twitter.com/viavsuqf3D
— ANI (@ANI) April 4, 2025
In Kolkata, members of the Muslim community rallied under the banner of the Joint Forum for Waqf Protection.
Similar scenes unfolded in Bengaluru, where Muslim organisations voiced strong objections to the legislation.
Ahmedabad also witnessed protests by various Muslim groups, while in Chennai, the Tamilaga Vetri Kazhagam (TVK), led by actor-politician Vijay, staged state-wide demonstrations.
#WATCH | Bengaluru, Karnataka: Muslim organisations hold protests against the Waqf Amendment Bill. pic.twitter.com/EV9Ba9rROC
— ANI (@ANI) April 4, 2025
TVK joins protests against ‘anti-democratic’ billÂ
TVK General Secretary N Anand led the protests in Tamil Nadu. Protestors raised slogans such as “Let us reject Waqf Bill” and “Do not take away the rights of Muslims.”
Accusing the Centre of interfering in matters related to Waqf properties, protestors claimed the legislation poses a “threat to Waqf properties” and urged for its immediate withdrawal.
Actor Vijay had earlier labelled the Bill as “anti-democratic” and warned that his party would join Muslims in their “Waqf rights legal struggle” if the Bill is not rolled back, reported PTI.
#WATCH | Chennai, Tamil Nadu | TVK General Secretary N Anand participates in a protest to condemn the union government over the Waqf Amendment Bill. pic.twitter.com/Tmv1xpdS4E
— ANI (@ANI) April 4, 2025
Kolkata sees heavy turnout, traffic disruption
A significant number of protestors gathered at Park Circus Crossing in Kolkata. Protestors claimed the legislation aimed to seize Muslim properties and “malign” the community.
“This Bill is a ploy by the BJP to divide the country. They have passed the bill in both Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha due to their majority. We oppose this authoritarian approach. This is not just an attempt to seize Muslim properties but also malign us,” one protestor told PTI.
#WATCH | West Bengal: Members of the Muslim community take to the streets in Kolkata to protest against the Waqf Amendment Bill. pic.twitter.com/pKZrIVAYlz
— ANI (@ANI) April 4, 2025
Opposition plans legal challenge
Congress MP Mohammad Jawed has moved the Supreme Court challenging the Bill’s constitutionality. The Congress has pledged to resist what it calls the Modi government’s “assaults” on the Indian Constitution, reported ANI.
BJP responds, warns against ‘provoking minorities’
Responding to the criticism, senior BJP leader Ravi Shankar Prasad told reporters, “Some legal experts in the Congress are repeatedly saying that it (the Bill) is unconstitutional and they will approach the court. Let them go to court. Nobody is stopping them.”
Prasad added that the Bill seeks the welfare of the Muslims, including women.
BJP MP Dinesh Sharma urged opposition parties to accept the Parliament’s decision and avoid “provoking” minority communities. “The opposition should refrain from indulging in petty politics,” he said, as per PTI.
(With agency inputs)
