Sun Nov 30 18:16:30 UTC 2025: Here’s a summary and a rewritten news article based on the provided text:
Summary:
The West Bengal government, led by Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee, is facing criticism from the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) after issuing a directive to upload data on registered waqf properties onto the central UMEED portal. This directive comes after the Waqf (Amendment) Bill, 2025 was passed by Parliament in April 2025. The BJP alleges that the government is finally complying with the law after initially opposing it. The directive, issued by the Secretary of the Minority Affairs and Madrasah Education Department, outlines a detailed process for mutawallis (managers/trustees) to upload information on approximately 82,000 waqf properties within six months. The communication also indicates that controversial waqf properties need not be registered. The BJP views this development as a victory and an affirmation that West Bengal must adhere to the law of the land.
News Article:
West Bengal Bows to Waqf Law, BJP Claims Victory
Kolkata – November 30, 2025 – The West Bengal government is under fire from the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) after instructing District Magistrates to upload data on registered waqf properties to the central government’s Unified Waqf Management, Empowerment, Efficiency and Development (UMEED) portal. The directive comes months after the Waqf (Amendment) Bill, 2025, was passed by Parliament.
The instruction, issued in a letter by P.B. Salim, Secretary of the Minority Affairs and Madrasah Education Department, requires mutawallis (managers/trustees) to upload information on approximately 82,000 waqf properties within six months. The directive outlines a detailed process, including training sessions and dedicated personnel, to facilitate the data entry. Controversially, the communication suggests that registration of disputed waqf properties can be deferred.
The BJP has seized upon this development, claiming it as a capitulation by Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee, who had previously expressed opposition to the Waqf Amendment Act.
“After months of provoking the Muslim community to oppose the Waqf Amendment Act, Mamata Banerjee has finally bowed to the law,” BJP leader Amit Malviya stated on social media. He further asserted that the directive signifies that West Bengal will now be governed by the law and the Constitution, rather than by Banerjee’s “politics of obstruction.”
The directive mandates a comprehensive process for registering waqf properties, including OTP-based registration for mutawallis and virtual training sessions provided by the State Waqf Board.
The issue has sparked a political debate in West Bengal, with the BJP framing the move as a victory for the rule of law and the state government facing accusations of inconsistency in its stance on waqf legislation.
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