Mass Protests Over Waqf Law Erupt in Bihar and Bengal: What’s Fueling the Unrest?

Mass Protests Over Waqf Law Erupt in Bihar and Bengal: What’s Fueling the Unrest?

April 10, 2025

Tensions flared in parts of eastern India today as thousands of people took to the streets in Bihar and West Bengal, voicing their anger over the current Waqf laws. Organized primarily by Muslim community leaders and backed by several social organizations, the protests reflect deep-seated frustrations over what many see as an opaque and outdated system governing religious endowments.

What Is the Waqf Law?

The Waqf Act governs the administration of Waqf properties—religious endowments made for charitable or religious purposes in the Muslim community. These properties are typically overseen by state Waqf boards, which are supposed to ensure fair and legal use of land and assets donated for mosques, graveyards, schools, and other welfare services.

But critics argue that the system is broken.

Why Are People Protesting?

Protesters claim that the law allows for misuse, mismanagement, and a dangerous concentration of power. Many say they are being denied access to land records, that Waqf boards are not transparent in how they allocate or manage property, and that community voices are being ignored.

“What we’re asking for is simple: transparency and accountability,” said a local activist in Patna who joined the protest march. “Our community’s land is not for sale or silent deals. It’s meant for public welfare.”

In Kolkata, similar sentiments echoed as demonstrators gathered outside government offices holding placards and chanting slogans like “Scrap the Waqf Monopoly” and “Protect Our Rights.”

The Political Angle

While the protests were peaceful, the scale and coordination have sparked political ripples. Some opposition leaders have called for a review of the Waqf Act, demanding amendments that would decentralize control and bring more oversight. Others accuse the protests of being politically motivated ahead of local elections.

Meanwhile, state governments in both Bihar and Bengal have ramped up security. In Uttar Pradesh, authorities are on high alert with similar demonstrations expected tomorrow.

A Sensitive Issue

Waqf-related controversies are not new in India. In the past, allegations of illegal land grabs, forged ownership records, and disputes between religious groups have all surfaced. The matter is deeply sensitive—tied to questions of faith, identity, and governance.

That’s why today’s protests feel different. They’re not just about legal fine print—they’re about trust.

What Happens Next?

The central government has not yet issued an official response, but sources say the Ministry of Minority Affairs is reviewing recent complaints and may call for a wider audit of Waqf board activities across states.

For now, the protesters remain firm. “We are not against the idea of Waqf,” said one speaker at the Kolkata rally. “We are against how it’s being misused.”