In a move that has sparked intense controversy and widespread protests, the Indian government, led by Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), recently passed an amendment to the Waqf Act of 1995. The amendment, which aims to regulate religious endowments-commonly known as waqf-has ignited a political firestorm, particularly in the eastern state of West Bengal, a region with a large Muslim population. The law has led to deadly protests, with three fatalities and over 150 arrests. Many critics view this bill as a strategic attempt by the BJP to curb the rights of Muslims and marginalize their influence, raising concerns over its potential impact on the country’s religious minorities.
Waqf refers to property that is donated by Muslims for religious or charitable purposes. This can include land, buildings, or other assets intended for the benefit of religious institutions, mosques, or public welfare. In India, waqf properties amount to more than $14 billion in value, which includes historic mosques, shrines, graveyards, and thousands of acres of land. The amendment passed earlier this month aims to bring greater transparency in the management of these properties by involving non-Muslim representatives in decision-making bodies. While the government argues that this is to combat corruption and mismanagement, Muslims in India have expressed deep concern that this move will weaken their control over these important religious assets.
The protests that erupted in West Bengal’s Murshidabad district, which has a significant Muslim population, highlight the widespread fear and resentment over the bill. The local population has been vocal in their opposition to the law, leading to violent clashes with security forces. The deployment of the Border Security Force (BSF) in response to these protests underscores the gravity of the situation. Local authorities have arrested over 150 people, and tensions remain high as the opposition parties voice their concerns over the bill’s implications. Despite these protests, the BJP maintains that the amendment is aimed at increasing transparency in the management of waqf properties, which, according to them, have been plagued by corruption and inefficiency. However, for many Muslims, this explanation fails to address the deeper issues at hand.
The inclusion of non-Muslim individuals in the administration of waqf properties has become a particularly contentious issue. Critics argue that this change is not merely about governance but is an attempt by the BJP to exert control over Muslim religious properties and further dilute their influence in Indian society. Historically, India has prided itself on its secular constitution, which guarantees the rights of all religious communities. Yet, the BJP-led government’s policies in recent years have raised alarms among India’s Muslim minority, who make up roughly 15% of the nation’s 1.4 billion people. Under Modi’s leadership, there has been increasing concern over the religious polarization in the country, with reports indicating that the BJP has gained electoral benefits by aligning itself with the country’s Hindu majority.
The Waqf Bill is not seen in isolation but as part of a broader strategy by the Modi government to undermine the rights of Muslims. For example, Modi’s tenure has seen the controversial revocation of Article 370 in Jammu and Kashmir, which granted the region a degree of autonomy, and the Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA), which critics say discriminates against Muslims. The Waqf Bill, therefore, is viewed as another tool in the BJP’s ongoing effort to marginalize the Muslim community, one that not only undermines their religious and cultural practices but also sets a dangerous precedent for future policies that could further erode their rights.
Rahul Gandhi, leader of the opposition Congress Party, has criticized the bill, calling it an attack on India’s Muslim minority. Gandhi pointed out that while the bill targets Muslims today, it could set a precedent for other religious communities in the future. The concern is that if the government succeeds in implementing this bill, it could lead to further encroachments on Muslim-controlled institutions, and ultimately, a weakening of their social, political, and economic power in the country.
West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee, a vocal critic of the bill, has sought to ease tensions in her state, where millions of Muslims reside. Banerjee has announced that her government will not implement the Waqf amendment in West Bengal, and has called for calm. She emphasized that the law would not apply in her state, and urged citizens to refrain from engaging in any non-religious behavior in the name of religion. However, despite her reassurances, the protests continue, with many feeling that this law is just the latest in a series of steps to undermine the rights of Muslims in India.
The government’s justification for the bill, focusing on transparency and accountability, does not address the larger issue at hand-the increasing sense of alienation and insecurity felt by India’s Muslim population. The fear that waqf properties, which have historical and religious significance, could be vulnerable to mismanagement or even confiscation, is a legitimate concern. If the government succeeds in implementing this law, it could open the door for the destruction of historic mosques, shrines, and other religious sites, further eroding the cultural fabric of the Muslim community in India.
The Waqf Bill, while claiming to address transparency, appears to be another effort by the BJP to curb the rights of the Muslim community. By allowing non-Muslims to manage waqf properties, the government risks eroding the control Muslims have over their religious and cultural heritage. Given the history of religious polarization under Modi’s leadership, it is understandable why so many Muslims view this bill with suspicion. The protests in West Bengal reflect the deep-seated fears that the bill represents a broader attempt to marginalize India’s Muslim minority and dilute their cultural and religious rights. The government’s actions in passing this bill, particularly in the face of growing opposition, suggest that the concerns of India’s Muslim community are not only valid but deeply significant.
