The Waqf Amendment Bill 2025, after being passed in the Lok Sabha, was cleared by the Rajya Sabha late Thursday night following an extended debate. According to reports appearing from several sections of the media, the passage of the bill triggered widespread protests across several cities, particularly after Friday prayers.
In Ahmedabad, large crowds gathered at the Jama Masjid and the Sidi Saiyyed Mosque, raising slogans and expressing strong resentment against the bill. The protests created a tense atmosphere in the city, prompting the police to detain over 50 people. Authorities, however, managed to keep the situation under control.
Similar protests broke out in Ranchi and Kolkata. In Ranchi, members of the Muslim community assembled outside Ekra Mosque after Jumma prayers, holding banners and voicing their opposition to the amendments. Protesters termed the changes an attack on their rights and demanded the bill’s immediate withdrawal.
In Bihar’s Jamui district, thousands of people gathered at the Raja Nagar Gosiya Mosque after prayers. The demonstrators raised slogans against Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar, former CM and Union minister Jitan Ram Manjhi, and Union Minister Chirag Paswan, accusing them of backing a bill that they say undermines the community’s rights.
Meanwhile, Uttar Pradesh was placed on high alert. Security was stepped up in Lucknow, Sambhal, Bahraich, Moradabad, Muzaffarnagar, Saharanpur, Noida, and other sensitive districts. In Lucknow, police identified 61 sensitive hotspots and deployed heavy security with drone and CCTV surveillance to monitor the situation.
Intelligence inputs had warned of possible protests following Friday prayers.
Authorities also issued strict instructions to monitor social media platforms and take immediate action against the spread of misinformation or provocative content.
In Nagpur, police issued an advisory warning that strict action would be taken against anyone circulating inflammatory videos or attempting to disturb law and order.
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