India is once again witnessing unrest that has spilled onto its streets and campuses. This time, the trigger is the newly introduced Waqf Law, which has provoked strong opposition across the country, particularly among Muslim organizations, students, and community leaders. Protests have been reported in West Bengal, Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra, Uttar Pradesh, Jammu & Kashmir, and Rajasthan, with student activism in Kolkata’s Alia University drawing national attention.
As the central government moves forward with the law’s implementation, opponents are accusing it of undermining religious autonomy and communal harmony, while the ruling BJP defends it as a necessary measure to bring transparency and prevent mismanagement of Waqf properties. The issue has ignited not just religious anxieties, but also deeper political debates ahead of a crucial electoral cycle.
What Is the New Waqf Law?
The Waqf Act in India regulates properties donated for religious or charitable purposes in the Muslim community. Traditionally governed by Waqf Boards, these properties include mosques, graveyards, dargahs, and other religious endowments.
The new amendments passed by Parliament in March 2025 seek to:
- Grant government authorities enhanced powers to inspect and audit Waqf land.
- Allow the cancellation of illegal encroachments on Waqf property.
- Introduce a centralized digital system for Waqf land records.
- Mandate stricter financial disclosures from State Waqf Boards.
While the government argues that these changes ensure “accountability and anti-corruption safeguards”, critics believe that the centralization of power undermines the autonomy of religious trusts and could lead to political misuse.
Where Are the Protests Happening?
Since early April, the protests have intensified:
Kolkata (April 11): Students of Alia University held a protest march on campus demanding the withdrawal of the new Waqf law. Chanting slogans and holding placards, the students called the law unconstitutional and discriminatory.
Srinagar: The People’s Democratic Party (PDP) led demonstrations against the law, calling it an attack on Muslim identity and an erosion of religious freedom.
Lucknow: Members of the Shia community organized a peaceful protest, stating that the law interferes with their religious rights.
Mumbai, Bhopal, and Jaipur: Smaller processions and sit-ins were held, often after Friday prayers, with slogans like “Waqf Hamara Haq Hai” (Waqf is our right).
In Rajasthan, protests took place near several mosques, with community leaders warning against “systematic weakening of minority institutions.”
All India Muslim Personal Law Board’s (AIMPLB) Counter-Movement
Taking center stage, the All India Muslim Personal Law Board has launched the “Waqf Bachao Andolan”, a campaign designed to mobilize nationwide resistance against the law. A public letter released on April 11 outlines a protest calendar running up to July 7, with mass gatherings, legal petitions, and awareness campaigns.
In their statement, the Board compared the Waqf law to the Shah Bano case of 1985, calling it another attempt to undermine Muslim institutions. The reference is significant — the Shah Bano case had led to the Congress government’s infamous rollback of a Supreme Court ruling, sparking widespread Hindu backlash and indirectly paving the way for BJP’s rise in the late 1980s.
The Political Chessboard: Is BJP Gaining from the Protests?
Observers note that while protests aim to resist state overreach, they may inadvertently play into the hands of the ruling BJP. Several political analysts argue that the BJP is positioning itself to gain from communal polarization generated by such protests.
A BJP leader from Uttar Pradesh, speaking anonymously, said:
“If they come on the streets, people will remember the Shah Bano days. That memory helps us consolidate our base. This law is about transparency, not religion.”
Indeed, BJP leaders have framed the protests as being led by “radical clerics and outdated institutions” trying to preserve their hold over disputed lands. For the ruling party, the more these protests grow — especially if they appear sectarian or volatile — the more they may galvanize Hindu nationalist support.
Opposition Disarray: Cracks, Confusion, and Electoral Fear
While Muslim leaders mobilize, India’s opposition parties appear divided:
Congress: Internally conflicted. Several MPs reportedly warned the high command that backing these protests too aggressively could further alienate Hindu voters and reinforce the “Muslim appeasement” narrative.
TMC: Facing internal dissent. Leaders from districts bordering Bangladesh (with significant Muslim populations) support the protest, but others fear it could hurt the party in West Bengal’s non-Muslim belts.
Samajwadi Party (SP) and RJD: Struggling to find balance. Some MPs have openly expressed uncertainty over whether to support or stay silent.
Shiv Sena (UBT) and AAP: Maintaining distance publicly but facing Muslim voter pressure in pockets of Maharashtra and Delhi.
The confusion reflects a larger problem: a lack of a clear, unified secular narrative that supports minority rights without triggering political backlash.
Law and Order, Surveillance, and Intimidation?
Several protestors and activists allege that state machinery is being used to suppress dissent:
In BJP-ruled states, organizers claim that police denied permissions for gatherings.
Some student leaders reported being visited at home or receiving calls warning them not to “participate in political activities.”
In Chhattisgarh, a team of government officials reportedly began inspecting Waqf properties, signaling that enforcement of the law is already underway.
These actions have created an atmosphere of fear and caution, particularly among students and smaller organizations.
Where Do We Go from Here?
The protests against the new Waqf law go beyond legal dissent — they echo a deep, growing unease within India’s Muslim community. As voices rise and the government stands firm, the issue has become more than a policy battle; it is a test of inclusion, identity, and democratic listening. Whether or not the law changes, the unrest has already redrawn the political lines leading into 2025 — and the conversation is far from over.
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