 "In Kolkata, people waved the national flag and carried posters proclaiming 'we reject Waqf amendment' and 'Reject Waqf Bill.' ANI")
The passage of the Waqf bill by Parliament has led to protests across India today (April 4).
Kolkata, Ahmedabad and Chennai were among the cities that witnessed demonstrations against the bill – which is currently awaiting the assent of the president.
The development comes days after the All India Muslim Personal Law Board (AIMPLB) vowed to challenge the Waqf (Amendment) Bill in court.
They AIMPLB said it would take the fight against the “black law” that threatens the community’s rights to the streets.
The bill, which was passed by Parliament earlier on Friday, received approval from the Rajya Sabha after a lengthy 13-hour debate.
The Lok Sabha cleared the bill by a vote of 288 to 232, while the Rajya Sabha passed the bill by 128 votes to 95.
But what happened?
Let’s take a closer look:
What happened?
As per NDTV, thousands of people gathered on the streets of Kolkata, Ahmedabad and Chennai to protest against the bill.
In Kolkata, people waved the national flag and carried posters proclaiming ‘we reject Waqf amendment’ and ‘Reject Waqf Bill.’
Many of the gatherings were organised by the Joint Forum for Waqf Protection.
The members of the minority community, staging a protest at Park Circus Crossing, demanded the immediate withdrawal of the Waqf (Amendment) Bill, 2025.
Hundreds of Muslims took to the streets in the metropolis to express their opposition to the contentious legislation, with several minority organisations joining the protests.
As per The Hindu, members of the Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK) held protests on Friday in Tiruchi, Mayiladuthurai, and Nagapattinam.
In Tiruchi, the protest was held outside the District Collector’s office.
TVK city district secretary Chandra led the demonstrations.
Members of the Social Democratic Party of India (SDPI) also took part in the protests.
Protestors chanted slogans such as ‘Reject the Waqf Bill’ and ‘Do not take away Muslims’ rights’. Actor Vijay decried the bill as “anti-democratic” and said it would affect India’s secular principles.
As per Indian Express, students in Delhi protested outside the Jamia Millia Islamia University on Friday afternoon.
Students from several organisations decried the bill as “communal” and “unconstitutional.”
They gathered near Gate number 7 of the university and burned a copy of the bill.
“In a shameful display of authoritarianism, the Jamia administration locked down the campus – shutting all gates and preventing students from both entering and exiting,” the All India Students Association (AISA) was quoted as saying by the newspaper.
“When students rightfully questioned this blatant suppression and gathered in numbers at the gate, the administration was forced to relent and open the gates under pressure,” it added.
In Ahmedabad, visuals showed police trying to forcibly remove elderly protestors sitting on the road.
As per NDTV, around 50 people were detained during the protests.
This included the chief of the state unit of the All India Majlis-e-Ittehadul Muslimeen (AIMIM) along with 40 of its members.
Security measures have been tightened in Lucknow and Jhansi.
The outlet quoted Ashish Srivastava, Deputy Commissioner of Police (Central Lucknow) said, “We have asked everyone to make an opinion only after reading the whole bill and we are monitoring social media constantly…”
‘Categorically reject bill’
AIMPLB Vice President Mohammad Ali Mohsin said the Muslim body “categorically rejects” the Waqf (Amendment) Bill 2025, describing it as discriminatory, communally motivated and a blatant infringement on the constitutional rights of Muslim citizens.
AIMPLB spokesperson Mohammad Ali Mohsin said, “We have started this fight because we want to save the country. Our aim is to put an end to this black law.” He said board members will hold nationwide protests on the lines of the farmers’ agitation.
“We will organise programmes across the country just like farmers did. If needed, we will block roads and take all peaceful measures to oppose the bill,” Mohsin said.
He said that the Bill undermines fundamental principles of religious freedom, equality and justice, enshrined in Articles 14, 25 and 26 of the Constitution.
He outlined several key objections, including concerns that the Bill erodes Waqf Board autonomy by altering its composition and introducing non-Muslim members, thereby compromising the community’s right to manage its own religious and charitable endowments.
The AIMPLB also warned that the Bill disrupts Waqf management by empowering government entities to seize Waqf properties, thereby threatening their very existence.
Furthermore, board members said that amendments regarding the creation and management of Waqf endowments are regressive and detrimental to Muslim interests.
The JPC’s report, according to the AIMPLB, failed to address these concerns and instead perpetuated the Bill’s flaws.
The AIMPLB called on citizens across the country to take to the streets and hold peaceful and democratic protests if the Bill is passed, vowing to continue demonstrations until it is withdrawn.
The BJP has rejected any such claims
Senior party 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.
About the bill
According to the Bill, trusts created by Muslims under any law will no longer be considered Waqf, ensuring full control over them.
Only practising Muslims (for at least five years) can dedicate their property to Waqf, restoring the pre-2013 rules. Also, women must receive their inheritance before Waqf declaration, with special provisions for widows, divorced women and orphans, the Bill proposes.
It also proposes that an officer above the rank of collector will investigate government properties claimed as Waqf.
In case of disputes, the senior government official will have the final say on whether a property belongs to Waqf or the government. This replaces the existing system where such decisions are made by Waqf tribunals.
Non-Muslim members will be included in the central and state Waqf boards for inclusivity, according to the Bill.
The Bill has been met with criticism due to its contentious provisions, including allowing non-Muslim members in the Central Waqf Council and Waqf Boards, as well as provisions stating that any government property identified as Waqf will cease to be one, with the district collector determining its ownership.
Opposition parties, including the Congress, have opposed the proposed legislation, claiming that the JPC ignored their suggestions and that the Centre is rushing it through Parliament.