Protests in Manipur against Waqf Act
The Meitei Pangal community on Tuesday held protests against the recently amended Waqf Act in several valley districts of Manipur, The Indian Express reported.
Meitei Pangals are a group of Muslims who are part of the larger Meitei community.
Protest marches were held in Imphal East, Thoubal and Bishnupur districts. More than 5,000 protesters were part of the rally in Bishnupur’s Kwakta town, the newspaper reported.
A waqf is a property dedicated to a religious, educational or charitable cause under Islamic law. Each state has a waqf board led by a legal entity that is vested with the power to acquire, hold and transfer property.
The recent changes to the law curb the authority of waqf boards and allow greater government control over them.
The 2024 Waqf Amendment Bill brought changes to 44 sections of the 1995 Waqf Act, including allowing non-Muslims on waqf boards, restricting property donations and changing how waqf tribunals function.
The bill was cleared by Parliament on Friday. The Janata Dal (United) and Telugu Desam Party, both allies of the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party, supported the bill.
It was given presidential assent on Saturday and took effect on Tuesday.
The Congress and the All India Majlis-e-Ittehadul Muslimeen, among others, have challenged the constitutionality of the bill in the Supreme Court.