India: Over 2,000 arrested in Maharashtra’s Jalgaon during Muslim protest against Waqf Act

India: Over 2,000 arrested in Maharashtra’s Jalgaon during Muslim protest against Waqf Act
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In a remarkable display of interfaith solidarity, huge crowds of thousands converged in Jalgaon, Maharashtra, this week to oppose the Waqf (Amendment) Act 2025, labeled by Muslim organizations as a “black law” and an assault on religious freedoms.

According to Muslim Mirror, the protest was organized by the Tehaffuz Auqaf Committee Jalgaon under the All India Muslim Personal Law Board’s (AIMPLB) “Jail Bharo Andolan.” The event marked the first full-scale agitation in India, conducted peacefully despite lacking police permission.

The protest kicked off with a two-hour sit-in, culminating in the voluntary detention of nearly 2,000 participants at Zila Peth police station. All were released by evening. Organizer Farooq Shaikh told reporters, “We surrendered willingly. This unites Muslims with people from all communities and political affiliations who uphold justice, equality, and the Constitution. Jalgaon has peacefully pioneered this national movement—we reject this unconstitutional law outright.”

A delegation, headed by Mufti Khalid, President of the Tehaffuz Waqf Committee, met Additional Collector Shrimant Harkar and submitted a memorandum to the President of India. The five demands were: Immediate repeal of the Waqf (Amendment) Act 2025; Cessation of central government control over Waqf properties; Creation of independent, community-run Waqf boards with transparency; Rigorous action against encroachments and illegal transfers of Waqf land; and Extension of the December 5 deadline for e-registration of mosques, madrasas, and dargahs.

Support poured in from the Bahujan Kranti Morcha, NCP (Ajit Pawar faction), and Vanchit Bahujan Aghadi (VBA). VBA District President Shamibha Bhanudas Patil endorsed the demands, calling the Act “Manuwadi and Sanghi ideology aimed at curtailing Muslim social and economic liberties. It’s a national threat to secularism.”

Amid heavy police deployment, the demonstration stayed non-violent, emphasizing constitutional democracy. Following Jalgaon’s success—after AIMPLB’s thwarted October 12 attempt in Delhi—the Board plans statewide expansions. As one detainee declared, “We’ll fill jails but won’t surrender our waqf, faith, or rights.” This sets a precedent for escalating resistance against perceived state overreach in religious affairs.