Murshidabad Boils Over Waqf Amendment Bill: A Closer Look at the Unrest
A wave of unrest swept through West Bengal’s Murshidabad district as protests against the Waqf Amendment Bill 2025 turned violent on Friday, April 11. What started as a demonstration soon spiraled into chaos, with protesters hurling stones at police forces and even targeting passing trains. The incident marks a new flashpoint in a growing national debate over religious freedom and state intervention in religious institutions.
How It All Unfolded: The Day of the Protest
According to officials from the Eastern Railway, the blockade began at 2:46 PM, when nearly 5,000 people gathered near a level crossing and blocked railway tracks between Dhuliyanganga and Nimtita stations. Protesters not only sat on the tracks but also vandalized another level crossing gate. The large-scale disruption brought a major section of the New Farakka-Azimganj rail corridor to a standstill.
Trains affected included:
13465 Howrah-Malda Town Intercity Express
13141 Sealdah–New Alipurduar Teesta Torsa Express
15644 Kamakhya–Puri Express
13432 Balurghat–Nabadwip Dham Express
Several trains were diverted, canceled, or short-terminated to ensure passenger safety.
From Protest to Violence: Why the Situation Escalated
The protest was sparked by anger over the recently passed Waqf Amendment Bill, 2025, which aims to digitize and regulate Waqf properties—lands and assets donated for religious or charitable purposes in the Muslim community. While the government claims the bill enhances transparency and accountability, many Muslim organizations and opposition parties have labeled it as anti-Muslim and an assault on religious freedom.
During the protest in Jangipur, the crowd reportedly turned aggressive. Law enforcement struggled to control the situation, prompting the South Bengal Frontier of the Border Security Force (BSF) to step in. In a statement, BSF confirmed its deployment to support the civil administration and help restore normalcy.
Understanding the Opposition: What’s in the Waqf Amendment Bill?
At the heart of the controversy lies the Waqf Amendment Bill, 2025, which introduces sweeping changes to how Waqf properties are registered, managed, and monitored. Key provisions include:
Mandatory digital registration of Waqf properties.
Inclusion of non-Muslim members in Waqf Boards.
Empowering government officials to inspect and investigate Waqf property management.
While the government asserts these measures are to combat corruption and encroachments, critics argue they amount to state interference in religious matters.
Why Are Protesters Angry?
The inclusion of non-Muslims in the Waqf Boards is seen as a violation of religious autonomy.
The inspection powers given to government officials are viewed as potential tools of harassment.
Many fear it is a step towards seizing or repurposing Waqf properties, which traditionally serve mosques, schools, and cemeteries.
Opposition leaders such as Mamata Banerjee, Asaduddin Owaisi, and Congress representatives have called the bill unconstitutional, alleging it violates Articles 25 and 26 of the Indian Constitution, which guarantee freedom of religion and religious management.
Not the First Flashpoint
This isn’t the first incident of violence linked to the Waqf Bill. Just days earlier, Murshidabad witnessed another round of protests during which 22 individuals were arrested. The district, known for its large Muslim population, has become the epicenter of what could become a broader national issue.
What’s Next?
As tensions continue to simmer, the deployment of BSF troops is a temporary measure. The state government, along with the central administration, faces the dual challenge of restoring peace and addressing the legitimate concerns of the protesting community.
Without a transparent dialogue between the government and stakeholders, the situation risks escalating further. The broader implications of the Waqf Amendment Bill could extend far beyond Murshidabad—affecting communal harmony, political narratives, and electoral outcomes in the months to come.
