BJP’s Waqf Agenda: Seizing Muslim Endowments in Uttar Pradesh
The passage of the Waqf Amendment Bill has put nearly 98% of Waqf properties in Uttar Pradesh in a state of uncertainty, with the decision-making authority shifting from the Waqf Board to district magistrates, significantly diminishing the board’s control over these lands.
The BJP government’s Waqf agenda has raised concerns among the Muslim community, with the All India Muslim Personal Law Board (AIMPLB) vowing to challenge the bill in court. Critics argue that the new law is an attack on the basic structure of the Constitution and aims to “polarize” and “divide” the country on religious lines.
The Congress party has announced that it will challenge the Waqf (Amendment) Bill in the Supreme Court, claiming that the legislation has flaws and is an arbitrary move by the government. Massive protests have erupted across the country, with Muslims voicing their opposition to the bill. Several Muslim groups on Friday staged protests against the Waqf Amendment Bill 2025 after its passage in Kolkata, Chennai and Ahmedabad.
This comes amid rising incidents of discrimination against Muslims, with the latest case involving a 71-year-old woman being briefly detained for offering Namaz near the District Magistrate’s office in Uttar Pradesh. The police’s action has been widely criticized, with many questioning the authorities’ priorities and the BJP’s apparent agenda of targeting the Muslim community.
As the legal battle over the Waqf Amendment Bill unfolds, the issue is likely to generate significant political and social discourse, with both sides debating the constitutional validity and socio-religious implications of the legislation.
