Thousands Rally in West Tripura Against Waqf Amendment Act
A massive gathering waving the Indian tricolour and raising slogans against the recently amended Waqf Act, gathered in a show of unity and resistance at Bishalgarh Railway Station on Sunday. The peaceful protest, organized by Jana Adhikar Sangram Parishad, an apolitical civil rights group, drew nearly five thousand participants, primarily from the Muslim community, with support from various political outfits.
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The gathering, described as one of the most significant public mobilizations in recent months, saw the active presence of leaders across party lines, including representatives from the principal opposition CPIM, Congress, and the Tipra Motha Party, a key ally of the ruling coalition in Tripura.
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Prominent among the speakers was Bhanu Lal Saha, former minister and senior CPIM leader, who criticized the amendment as “undemocratic and unconstitutional.” He was joined on stage by Shah Alam, president of the Tipra Motha Party’s minority cell, and Md Sahajahan Islam and Amir Hossain, both youth leaders from the Congress party. Also addressing the gathering was Senior Advocate Puroshattam Roy Barman, who had contested the last Assembly elections from Ramnagar constituency as an independent candidate with CPIM-Congress support.
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At the heart of the protest were two major grievances regarding the amended Waqf Act—the inclusion of non-Muslims in Waqf Boards and the abolition of the concept of “Waqf-by-user.”
Speakers expressed alarm over what they described as an attempt to “dilute the religious autonomy” of the Waqf system, which manages endowments and properties for the welfare of the Muslim community. The concept of Waqf-by-user, they explained, is rooted in centuries-old traditions where land used consistently for religious or community purposes is deemed Waqf, even if not formally registered. The new law seeks to abolish this provision, thereby allowing such land to be classified as “disputed” by District Magistrates.
“Once this change is enforced, anyone could raise claims on land that has been in use as a mosque, madrasa, or graveyard for decades,” said one protestor. “This will give the administration unchecked power to alter the religious landscape and dispossess minority communities under legal cover.”
The protestors also warned that the inclusion of non-Muslims in the governance of Waqf Boards could create deep mistrust and escalate communal tensions, especially in sensitive regions like Tripura, where demographics are tightly interwoven with politics.
Security and Cooperation
In light of recent clashes during anti-Waqf protests in Kailashahar, the Bishalgarh demonstration was conducted under tight security, with a large police deployment led by Sipahijala District Superintendent of Police Bijay Debbarma. Additional SP Rajib Sutradhar, SDPO Dulal Dutta, and Bishalgarh Police Station OC Sanjit Sen also supervised the arrangements, ensuring that the rally remained peaceful throughout.
Personnel from the Tripura State Rifles (TSR) and paramilitary units were stationed at key points to preempt any untoward incident. To their credit, the protestors maintained discipline, cooperating fully with the authorities while expressing their discontent in a democratic manner.
“We had comprehensive security protocols in place,” said SP Debbarma, “but the people here showed restraint and respect for the law. That’s commendable.”
A Growing Movement?
The protest at Bishalgarh is seen as part of a larger wave of unrest building up across the country against the Waqf amendments. While the government defends the reforms as a step towards transparency and uniform governance, critics argue that the new provisions infringe upon religious rights and may trigger property disputes across multiple states.
The organizers, though apolitical, hinted that more such peaceful protests might be planned if their concerns are not addressed.
“This is not about politics,” said one speaker from Jana Adhikar Sangram Parishad. “This is about safeguarding constitutional rights, community heritage, and social harmony. We demand that the government reconsider and roll back the controversial amendments.”
As the sun set over Bishalgarh and protestors dispersed without incident, the message rang loud and clear: a section of the citizenry is concerned, mobilized, and watching the developments very closely.
