Protests against Waqf Act continue unabated
Source: The Sangai Express

Thoubal, April 15 2025: People in thousands staged protest rallies against the recently amended Waqf Act at several places across Thoubal and Mayang Imphal.

A massive protest demonstration demanding withdrawal of the Act was held at Yairipok.

People from Phouden, Wangkhem Muslim, Singa, Tulihal, Toupokpi, Bishnunaha, Bamon Leikai, Kekru, Heitroipokpi, Shikhong Sekmai, Leikol, Ningthounai, Changamdabi, Mayai Keithel, Malom and Ngariyan converged at Yairipok Azad Ground.

The demonstration was organised by the All Yairipok Ulema Body in association with clubs and organisations based in Yairipok.

Protesters at the rally shouted slogans against the BJP-led NDA Government and demanded immediate withdrawal of the Waqf Amendment Act 2025 .

Protests against Waqf Act continue unabated

Notably, the Waqf (Amendment) Act came into force from April 8 after it got the President's assent on April 5 .

The Lok Sabha and the Rajya Sabha passed the Bill post-midnight on April 3 and April 4 respectively.

Waqf refers to properties dedicated exclusively to religious or charitable purposes under Islamic law.

Any other use or sale of the property is prohibited.

In India, which has the largest Waqf holding in the world, the Waqf Boards currently control 8.7 lakh properties spanning 9.4 lakh acres across the country, making it the third largest land owner in India, following the Armed Forces and the Indian Railways.

The Waqf (Amendment) Bill, 2025 was introduced in the Parliament aimed at updating the Waqf Act, 1995, fix issues in the management of Waqf properties, and improve transparency and accountability in Waqf management, said the Government.

It redefines the formation of Waqf, improving the survey and registration process.

It empowers Government supervision, ensuring inclusivity by incorporating non-Muslim members and women into Waqf-related bodies.

The amended Act has met with strong criticism from the Opposition and Muslim community.

At the protest demonstration at Yairipok, Mohd Rounaque Alam , general secretary of Jamiat Ulama (Maqami) (Phouden, Wangkhem and Singa), said the NDA Government, through this Act, threatens to grab land and properties such as Masjid, Madrassa and Kabrastan etc donated in the name of Allah for people.

The Government claims the Act is for the benefits of the widows and poor.

But, this Act is clearly against the interests of the Muslim community, he said.

"Waqf properties belong to Allah and these properties need no registration.

Forcing registration of such properties is against Islam and the minority community," he claimed.

Protest will continue till the amended Act is repealed, he said.

A similar protest rally was also taken out at Mayang Imphal Bengoon today.

The rally was organised by the Joint Coordinating Body of Mayai Lambi.

The protesters held placards with messages "Waqf (Amendment) Act is against Islam religion," "Waqf properties belong to Allah not Government," "Repeal (Amendment) Act" and "Down Down BJP" etc during the rally.

Meanwhile, the Coordination Committee for Protection of Waqf Properties Manipur (CCPWPM) has said that a petition has been filed with the Supreme Court through All Manipur Muslims (Meitei Pangal) Welfare Association (AMPWA) challenging the Waqf Act 2025 .

The petition was filed by a team of Advocates including Pinky Behera, Juno and Ajmal.