Protests broke out across India in major cities including Mumbai, Kolkata, Lucknow and Jaipur on Friday as members of the Muslim community voiced strong opposition to the recently enacted Waqf (Amendment) Bill, 2025.

The protests began after Friday prayers, with people walking the streets while shouting slogans and holding placards voicing their dissatisfaction with the Bill. Protesters accused the government of targeting Waqf properties and demanded withdrawal of the bill.

In Kolkata, students from Aliah University hosted a protest march on Friday, questioning the implications of the amendment regarding minority rights. Students marched from the campus to Park Circus opposing the Bill. Demonstrations were also held in Jaipur, Lucknow and Srinagar.

Protests were also reported in Telangana, Patna and Lucknow, where community leaders warned of intensified agitation if the bill was not rolled back.

AIMIM leader Waris Pathan detained in Mumbai

In Mumbai, All India Majlis-e-Ittehad-ul-Muslimeen (AIMIM) leader Waris Pathan was present at a protest site, adding political colour to the agitation. Pathan was detained by the Mumbai Police on Friday, following a silent protest against the Waqf Amendment Bill 2025, outside the Hindustani Mosque in Byculla.
The protesters including AIMIM leader Waris Pathan tied black bands on their arms.

ना डरे है ना डरें गे !
waqf Act 2025 काले क़ानून के ख़िलाफ़ हमारा प्रोटेस्ट जारी रहे गा ! जब तक सरकार ये काला असंवैधानिक क़ानून वापस नहीं लेती।

आज हिंदुस्तानी मस्जिद बायकुला में बाद नमाज़ ए जुम्मा अवाम के साथ प्रोटेस्ट में हिस्सा लिया पुलिस ने मुजे और मेरे काफ़ी साथियों को… pic.twitter.com/fDpxdlQYly

— Waris Pathan (@warispathan) April 11, 2025

According to news reports, the protest erupted after the Friday prayers, during which members of the Muslim community raised slogans and displayed placards opposing the revised Bill. A video of the incident has gone viral on social media, where Pathan and several party workers are being taken into police custody.

President Droupadi Murmu’s assent to Waqf (Amendment) Bill, 2025

President Droupadi Murmu gave her assent to the Waqf (Amendment) Bill, 2025 on Friday, April 5, which was passed by Parliament last week. Murmu also gave her assent to the Mussalman Wakf (Repeal) Bill, 2025.

“The following Act of Parliament received the assent of the president on April 5, 2025, and is hereby published for general information: The Waqf (Amendment) Act, 2025,” the government stated in a notification.

The bill was earlier cleared by both houses of Parliament amid heated debate—passing in the Lok Sabha on April 3 with 288 votes in favor and 232 against, and in the Rajya Sabha with 128 in favor and 95 opposed.

Petitions filed in Supreme Court challenging Waqf (Amendment) Act, 2025

Following the recent enactment of the Waqf (Amendment) Act, 2025, at least 10 petitions have been filed in the Supreme Court challenging the constitutional validity of the amendment.

AIMIM has also filed a petition, while strongly criticized the act. The AIMIM has alleged that the Act undermines the autonomy of Waqf institutions. The Supreme Court is scheduled to hear the petitions on April 16 by a bench headed by Chief Justice of India (CJI) Sanjiv Khanna.