Indian Muslims protest against new bill which revamps land management

Record ID: 1988235

  • Title: Indian Muslims protest against new bill which revamps land management
  • Date: 4th April 2025
  • Summary: KOLKATA, WEST BENGAL, INDIA (APRIL 04, 2025) (ANI - No use India) PROTESTERS SITTING/PROTESTER HOLDING POSTER READING (English): "DON'T POLITICIZE SACRED WAQF ASSETS!" PROTESTER HOLDING POSTER READING (English): "INCLUDING NON-MUSLIMS IN WAQF BOARDS DILUTES THE RELIGIOUS INTENT & PURPOSE THESE PROPERTIES WERE MEANT TO SERVE" PROTESTER SPEAKING/PROTESTER HOLDING BANNER
  • Embargoed:
  • Keywords: India acquisition constitution faith government land lawmakers lawmaking laws liberty muslims property protests religion religions freedom rights waqf
  • Location: KOLKATA, WEST BENGAL/LUDHIANA, PUNJAB/AHMEDABAD, GUJARAT/NEW DELHI, INDIA
  • City: KOLKATA, WEST BENGAL/LUDHIANA, PUNJAB/AHMEDABAD, GUJARAT/NEW DELHI, INDIA
  • Country: India
  • Topics: Asia / Pacific,Lawmaking,Government/Politics
  • Reuters ID: LVA001M38CAJ3
  • Aspect Ratio: 16:9
  • Story Text:Indian Muslims protested on Friday (March 04) against a new bill passed by both the lower house and the upper house of Parliament, that plans sweeping changes in the management of vast tracts of land set aside solely for Muslim use.
    The land and properties fall under the "waqf" category, which means "to stay" in Arabic, and are endowed by a Muslim for religious, educational or charitable purposes. Such land cannot be transferred or sold.
    "We will not accept this bill at all costs because they are trying to confiscate the lands of our ancestors", said protester Amna Khatun in eastern Kolkata.
    Another protester in northern Ludhiana said that the bill includes no schemes for the betterment of the Muslims.
    However, Indian Minister of Minority Affairs, Kiren Rijiju told reporters that the bill was passed after complying with all rules and regulations and accepting amendments.
    Government and Muslim organisations estimate that over 25 waqf boards hold nearly 85,1535 properties and 900,000 acres of land, putting them among the top three landowners in India.
    The Waqf (Amendment) Bill, tabled by Prime Minister Narendra Modi's government, proposes inclusion of non-Muslim members in the central Waqf Council and waqf boards and will enable the government to determine ownership of disputed waqf properties.
    The legislation comes amid tensions between the Muslim community and Modi government. Opposition lawmakers and Islamic groups see the bill as a plan to secure assets owned by Muslims and to weaken their property rights under the Indian constitution.
  • Copyright Holder: ANI (India)
  • Copyright Notice: (c) Copyright Thomson Reuters 2025. Open For Restrictions - http://about.reuters.com/fulllegal.asp
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