Mamata Banerjee Slams PM Modi and BJP Over Waqf Act, Accuses Them of Hypocrisy

Mamata Banerjee Slams PM Modi and BJP Over Waqf Act, Accuses Them of Hypocrisy

| April 17, 2025

Kolkata — In a strong and emotional statement, West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee has accused Prime Minister Narendra Modi and the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) of treating the Muslim community unfairly within India while showing a very different face when dealing with Muslim nations abroad.

Speaking at a public meeting filled with Muslim clerics and community leaders in Kolkata, Mamata said, “You oppose Muslims in India, but when you go to Saudi Arabia, you take their honors and act like friends.” Her comments have sparked a new round of political controversy, especially as protests grow against the central government's recent changes to the Waqf Act.

What Is the Waqf Act Controversy All About?

The Waqf Act governs properties donated or dedicated for religious or charitable purposes in the Muslim community. These include mosques, graveyards, schools, and land given in charity.

Recently, the central government passed a bill—the Waqf (Amendment) Act, 2025—which introduces new rules about how these properties are managed. While the government says the law is meant to bring more transparency and better regulation, many Muslims and opposition leaders believe it is an attempt to take control of religious property and interfere in the internal matters of the community.

One of the biggest concerns is that the new law allows non-Muslim members to be part of the Waqf Board, which has traditionally been made up of Muslims. Critics feel this violates religious independence and could lead to decisions that do not respect Islamic traditions.

Mamata’s Strong Reaction

Mamata Banerjee is one of the most vocal critics of the new Waqf law. In her speech in Kolkata, she said that the law is not just about Muslims—it's about targeting minorities and slowly taking away their rights.

“First they come for Muslims, tomorrow it could be Christians, Sikhs, or even Hindus who don’t agree with them,” she warned.

She also said that the BJP tries to create fear and division among communities, especially during election time. According to her, this law and the violence that followed it are part of a plan to polarize people and gain political advantage.

Unrest in Murshidabad

The Waqf Amendment Act has not just created political tension—it has led to real violence. In Murshidabad, a district in West Bengal with a large Muslim population, protests turned violent after people came out on the streets opposing the new law.

On April 8, what started as a peaceful protest escalated quickly. Clashes broke out between protesters and police. Cars were set on fire, shops were vandalized, and tragically, three people lost their lives. Many others were injured, and over 200 people have been arrested so far.

To bring the situation under control, the Calcutta High Court ordered the deployment of central paramilitary forces. Internet services in the area were also suspended to stop the spread of fake news and provocative messages.

Who’s to Blame?

Mamata Banerjee says the violence was not spontaneous—it was deliberately provoked. She accused the BJP of sending outside people into the area to stir trouble. She also blamed the Border Security Force (BSF), saying they played a suspicious role in the build-up to the violence.

“This is a planned conspiracy to create unrest in Bengal and to paint Muslims in a bad light,” she said. “They want to show the world that Muslims are violent. But the truth is, they are being pushed to the edge.”

The BJP has denied these allegations, saying the government of West Bengal failed to maintain law and order. They argue that Mamata is playing politics and trying to protect lawbreakers instead of taking firm action against them.

The Bigger Political Picture

Mamata’s comments are also important in a larger context. She is one of the top leaders in the INDIA alliance, a group of opposition parties that are trying to challenge the BJP in the upcoming national elections.

By speaking out against the Waqf Act and defending the Muslim community, Mamata is sending a message: the opposition will not stay silent on issues of minority rights. She is also trying to bring together different communities who feel marginalized under the BJP’s rule.

In her speech, she called upon other INDIA alliance leaders to raise their voices against the law and not just treat this as a Muslim issue. “Today it’s the Waqf Board. Tomorrow it could be tribal lands, Christian missions, or anyone else they don’t like,” she said.

What Do Experts Say?

Legal experts and social activists are divided on the Waqf Amendment Act. Some believe there were genuine problems in how Waqf properties were being managed, including corruption and poor record-keeping. They argue that some changes were necessary to modernize the system.

However, most agree that religious institutions should be managed by members of the same faith, and involving outsiders—especially from a ruling party with a history of communal politics—could lead to conflict.

“The government must consult the community before making such big changes,” said a senior lawyer based in Delhi. “Transparency should not come at the cost of autonomy.”

What Happens Next?

The Waqf (Amendment) Act has been passed by Parliament and is now waiting for the President’s signature to become law. But protests and legal challenges are likely to continue.

The Calcutta High Court is already hearing cases related to the violence in Murshidabad. More public interest litigations (PILs) may be filed in the Supreme Court to question the constitutionality of the new law.

Meanwhile, Mamata Banerjee has said she will continue to fight this law and stand by the Muslim community. She also announced compensation for the families of those killed in the violence and said her government will provide legal help to the innocent people who were arrested.

Final Thoughts

Mamata Banerjee’s criticism of PM Modi and the BJP is not just political rhetoric—it reflects a deep sense of fear and frustration among many in India’s Muslim community. Whether one agrees with her or not, her words have sparked a national conversation about religious rights, government overreach, and the future of secularism in India.

As elections approach, these issues are bound to take center stage. The question remains: will India move toward more inclusion and understanding, or deeper divisions and mistrust?