Kolkata: West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee announced on Wednesday that her government will not implement the Waqf (Amendment) Act 2025 in the state. Speaking at a gathering of the Jain community in Kolkata, Banerjee reassured religious minorities, emphasizing that their rights and Waqf properties would remain protected under her leadership, reported the Times of India.
Addressing widespread apprehensions, she stated, “I understand your disappointment over the passage of the Waqf Act. But trust me, nothing divisive will be allowed to happen in Bengal.” She reiterated her commitment to maintaining communal harmony and distancing the state from central laws that may disrupt the social fabric.
Banerjee also referred to the political environment in Bangladesh, suggesting that the passage of the Waqf Bill at this time was ill-timed and inappropriate.
The controversial Waqf (Amendment) Bill was cleared by the Lok Sabha last Thursday—where the Biju Janata Dal (BJD) has no MPs—and subsequently passed by the Rajya Sabha after intense debates. It received the President’s assent on Saturday, officially becoming law.
Despite the bill now being legally binding at the national level, Mamata Banerjee’s categorical opposition signals that West Bengal will opt out of its enforcement. Her declaration reflects an ongoing tug-of-war between state and central governments, especially on matters affecting minority rights and autonomy.
Banerjee’s firm stance is consistent with her political ideology, reinforcing her image as a defender of minority rights in a time of growing centralization.
