Kolkata: West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee reached out to the Muslim community as criticism grew over the ongoing digitisation of Waqf properties in the state. She said she will not allow any authority to interfere with people’s property. The remarks were made during a public meeting in Malda, where she addressed concerns linked to the Waqf Amendment Bill passed by Parliament earlier this year.
She said the Waqf law was introduced by the BJP at the national level. She reminded the audience that the state government moved a resolution against the Bill and also filed a case in the Supreme Court. She said she does not support any action that harms minorities or religious places. She said she does not engage in communal politics.
The concerns intensified after a letter from the Minority Affairs and Madrasah Education Department surfaced. The letter instructed District Magistrates to upload all registered Waqf properties on the UMEED Portal. The deadline for this exercise ends on December 5. Critics argued that the order signals acceptance of the central law despite earlier resistance from the state government.
Muslim leaders raised strong objections. Minister Siddiqullah Chowdhury warned that Muslims will not stay quiet if Waqf properties are targeted. Toha Siddique from Furfura Sharif accused the Chief Minister of changing her stance. Leaders of the AIMIM also announced a protest in Kolkata.
Muslims constitute 27.01 percent of the state’s population. Their support has been key for the Trinamool Congress since 2011. Any shift in this support might affect the party ahead of the upcoming Assembly elections.
