Thousands gathered in Kolkata this week to protest against the Waqf Act, raising serious concerns about land rights, property ownership, and constitutional equality. Organized by the influential Jamiat-e-Ulema Hind, the rally drew participants from across communities, turning the heart of the city into a focal point of one of the largest civil agitations in recent times on this issue.
The protestors marched under the banner of “Justice for All,” voicing their opposition to what they described as “arbitrary and unchecked powers” granted to Waqf Boards under the current Waqf Act. The legislation, originally passed in 1954 and later amended, regulates endowments made by Muslims for religious, charitable, or pious purposes. However, many argue that the Act has led to disputes, encroachments, and allegations of land grabs that undermine the property rights of private citizens, particularly non-Muslims.
The rally culminated in a resolution by the Jamiat-e-Ulema Hind to send a formal memorandum to Prime Minister Narendra Modi, urging a thorough review and overhaul of the Act. The organization claims that the Waqf Act violates the constitutional principles of equality before law and undermines secular governance by creating a separate legal mechanism for property management based on religious identity.
Maulana Siddiqullah Chowdhury, a senior leader of the Jamiat and also the West Bengal state president of the organization, addressed the massive gathering and emphasized the need for “justice, clarity, and accountability” in all matters of land governance. “We are not against Waqf properties being managed properly,” he said, “but the way this law operates today has led to widespread injustice, corruption, and exclusion.”
Several speakers at the rally echoed these sentiments, highlighting real-life cases where individuals found their properties suddenly listed under Waqf without their knowledge or consent. Legal experts attending the rally argued that the current framework allows Waqf Boards to unilaterally declare land as Waqf property, often leaving owners with little to no recourse in civil courts.
Protestors also took issue with the functioning of the Waqf Tribunals, which handle disputes related to Waqf property. Critics allege that these tribunals, while formed to streamline dispute resolution, often act in a biased or opaque manner, further eroding public trust in the justice system.
“This is not about any one religion or community,” said a demonstrator carrying the Indian flag. “This is about equality under the law. Every citizen deserves the same protections, the same rights. No special laws should override constitutional principles.”
The rally comes amid growing national debate over the management of religious endowments and the legal structures that govern them. While defenders of the Waqf Act argue that it is essential for preserving Muslim heritage and ensuring that charitable endowments are not misused, critics contend that the law needs significant reforms to align with modern democratic and constitutional standards.
The Jamiat-e-Ulema Hind, while traditionally a religious and social organization, has increasingly engaged in legal and civil rights advocacy. Its decision to lead a protest of this scale against the Waqf Act signals a shift in discourse within segments of the Muslim community as well—highlighting calls for transparency and reform from within.
The memorandum to the Prime Minister, according to Jamiat officials, will outline specific demands including a review by a parliamentary committee, public consultations, and the establishment of a neutral body to assess grievances related to Waqf land disputes.
Political observers noted the significance of the rally taking place in West Bengal, a state with a complex religious and political landscape. While the state government did not issue any formal response as of yet, the turnout and intensity of the protest have sparked conversations in political circles across the country.
As the memorandum prepares to make its way to New Delhi, the voices from Kolkata underscore a growing demand nationwide—for laws that are transparent, equitable, and grounded in the Constitution, irrespective of faith or community. Whether this protest becomes a turning point in India’s legal treatment of religious endowments remains to be seen, but it has certainly reignited a conversation that resonates far beyond the city’s streets.
