In a demonstration of civil resistance, as many as 2,000 civilians under the aegis of Maqami Jamiatul Ulaama Borayangbi and other civil society organizations came together on the streets of Borayangbi in Bishnupur to protest against the Waqf Amendment Bill 2024, which was recently passed in the Parliament and turned into the Waqf Amendment Act 2025. The protestors expressed their deep concerns about the potential violation of fundamental rights and the infringement of constitutional provisions.
The protest, marked by slogans and banners, was a clear rejection of what the demonstrators called a “trampling” of their rights. Protestors carried placards reading: “Reject the Waqf Bill,” “Protect Muslim Rights,” “Defend the Constitution,” and “Waqf Act 2025: A Threat to Fundamental Rights.” The rally also echoed chants like “BJP Down Down,” “Narendra Modi Murdabad,” “Amit Shah Murdabad,” and “Waqf Property: Protect Our Rights.” The Waqf Amendment Bill 2024, which was passed by the Indian Parliament and subsequently turned into the Waqf Amendment Act 2025, has raised serious questions among Muslim community leaders and human rights defenders in India.
Sayed Ali Aribam, a leader of the Maqami Jamiatul Ulaama Borayangbi, stated that the passing of this Act could lead to unfair control over Waqf properties, which are intended to support religious and educational purposes within the Muslim community. He emphasized that the Act violates not only the constitutional rights but also the traditions of the Muslim community in India. The rally culminated in a call for collective action to challenge the Waqf Amendment Act 2025, urging citizens and political leaders alike to stand up for the preservation of the Indian Constitution and the protection of fundamental rights.
