Protests against the Waqf Amendment Act 2025 continued in West Bengal on Thursday. Minister Siddiqullah Chowdhury addressed a massive rally organised by the West Bengal chapter of Jamiat-e-Ulema Hind in Kolkata’s Ramlila Maidan.
Demanding the immediate withdrawal of the new Act, Chowdhury said, “After coming to power in 2014, the BJP government repealed 1,159 Acts. Thus, they can revoke the Waqf Amendment Act as well.”
He urged protesters to continue the movement till the Centre withdraws it.
As the president of the West Bengal unit of Jamiat-e-Ulema Hind, Chowdhury also announced plans to send a memorandum to Prime Minister Narendra Modi, bearing one crore signatures in opposition to the Act.
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Chowdhury, an MLA from the Mangalkot constituency in Purba Bardhaman, accused the RSS and BJP of specifically targeting the Muslim community. He remarked that they felt safer in Bengal, implying that in states like Uttar Pradesh, protesters might have already faced bulldozer-led crackdowns.
The protest saw participation not only from hundreds of Muslims but also from representatives of Christian and Sikh communities, indicating broader support.
The Waqf Amendment Bill had triggered widespread demonstrations across the state. After the bill was passed into law earlier this week, in Murshidabad’s Jangipur, the protests turned violent, prompting police intervention and the imposition of prohibitory orders.
Urging the protesters to refrain from violent activities, Chowdhury had also criticised state administration and the security officials for their strict action. However, the 76-year-old leader on Thursday declared that Muslims were not scared of getting arrested as well.
The ruling Trinamool Congress (TMC), known for its secular stance and support for minority rights, has strongly opposed the Act. Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee expressed confidence that the legislation would be overturned once a new government assumes power at the Centre.
