Wed Dec 31 19:52:00 UTC 2025: News Article:

West Bengal Government Assures Protection of Waqf Properties Amid Muslim Discontent

Kolkata, January 1, 2026 – Amidst growing concerns among a section of the Muslim community, the West Bengal government has launched a public relations campaign through newspaper advertisements, reaffirming its commitment to protecting Waqf properties in the state. The move comes in response to the central government’s new Waqf Amendment Act of 2025, which has sparked controversy and protests in the state.

The advertisements highlight that the West Bengal government is challenging the validity of the new Waqf Amendment Act, 2025 in the Supreme Court [W.P.(C) No. 331/2025). The state government emphasizes that allegations of misappropriation are “baseless and unfounded” and that a resolution was passed in the State Legislative Assembly in December 2024, requesting the Central Government to withdraw the Waqf Amendment Bill.

The advertisements come after a letter surfaced from the Minority Affairs Department instructing District Magistrates to upload existing Waqf property details onto the UMEED Central Portal, a move that has been seized upon by opposition parties like the BJP and some Muslim leaders as a potential threat to Waqf lands.

The government assures that the registration process is merely a procedural change, clarifying that all 82,616 Waqf properties are already registered in the old WAMSI portal. The only difference, they say, is that registration under the new UMEED portal will be done directly by the Mutawallis (caretakers), instead of through the State Waqf Board.

According to the West Bengal government, it has extended all-out support for the data entry process through the District Administration and has set up additional data en entry desks at the District and Block levels and data of 23,087 registered Waqf properties has been uploaded on UMEED portal by December 5, 2025.

The issue is sensitive due to the state’s significant Muslim population (27.01%) who have been a strong support base for the Trinamool Congress (TMC) since 2011. Dissatisfaction amongst the community could pose a challenge for the TMC in the upcoming Assembly polls. The situation is further complicated by past incidents of violence and communal tension related to Waqf properties, including protests in April 2025 and riots in Murshidabad district, leading to fatalities. Prominent Muslim leaders have warned of unrest if Waqf properties are threatened.

The Chief Minister has attempted to quell fears, reiterating that she will not allow any encroachment on people’s property. However, some religious leaders remain skeptical, accusing her of political maneuvering. The situation is being closely watched as it carries significant implications for the political landscape of West Bengal.

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