Mamata Banerjee Criticizes Modi Government’s Waqf Bill, Calls It Anti-Federal and Anti-Secular

West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee sharply criticized the Central Government’s proposed amendments to the Waqf Act, 1995, calling it an attack on federalism, secularism, and the rights of minority communities. The bill, which aims to increase accountability in the management of Waqf boards, proposes significant changes, including the mandatory inclusion of Muslim women and non-Muslims in these bodies.

Speaking in the West Bengal Assembly, Banerjee expressed her opposition to the bill, saying the state government had not been consulted on the changes. “The state government has not been consulted at all,” she remarked, adding that such a major issue should involve input from state governments that manage Waqf boards.

The Chief Minister warned that if the bill becomes law, it would effectively “destroy” the institution of Waqf, which has existed since British colonial times. “Waqf properties also have Hindus residing in them, and some properties have been donated by other communities. These are shared resources,” Banerjee said, underlining the historical and pluralistic nature of Waqf institutions.
Banerjee also criticized the bill’s centralization of power over Waqf boards, describing it as “anti-federal.” She called it a deliberate attempt to “malign a particular section” and deprive Muslims of their rights. “In this bill, the rights of Muslims are being snatched away,” she stated, drawing attention to how the bill seeks to alter the governance structure of Waqf boards without sufficient consultation with stakeholders.

The contentious bill was proposed to be taken up during the winter session but sources indicate, there could be appeal made on Friday by the Joint Parliamentary Committee (JPC) which is in custody of the bill, seeking extension of time till the last day of the budget session of 2025. The come following a stormy meeting of the panel marked by a brief walkout from opposition members on November 27 over disagreements.

On the issue of alleged atrocities against Hindus in Bangladesh, Mamata Banerjee expressed solidarity with those affected, stating, “We cannot tolerate atrocities against any community.” She referred to her conversations with religious leaders in Bengal, including the ISKCON head, and reiterated that her government supports the central government in addressing international issues, particularly related to what’s unfolding in Bangladesh. “I have spoken to the ISKCON head here in Kolkata. We can’t tolerate any atrocity against any community. But Bangladesh is a different country and the Government of India has to take a decision. Whatever the Union Government decides we will support it. There’s no difference on this. We will not tolerate any atrocity against community” she added in the backdrop of arrest of priest Chinmoy Krishna Das in Bangladesh that has stoked diplomatic tensions between India and Bangladesh -the two neighbours.


While she stressed on solidarity with the people affected in Bangladesh, but Banerjee equally stressed on the need for domestic policies to reflect India’s commitment to secularism. “If there’s any atrocity against any community in another country, we speak about. So why should we not speak it, if happening in our own country” Mamata Banerjee questioned while suggesting the amendment to Waqf Act reflects BJP’s ‘injustice’ to one community in India. “We believe in a secular India, where all communities are respected, and all voices are heard,” she concluded.

The Waqf (Amendment) Bill seeks to overhaul the Waqf Act, 1995, by renaming it the Unified Waqf Management, Empowerment, Efficiency, and Development Act. Key provisions include greater representation of Muslim women and non-Muslims in Waqf boards, the establishment of separate boards for Bohras and Aghakhanis, and enhanced oversight over Waqf property management. The bill also aims to streamline the registration of Waqf properties through a central portal, while removing the power of boards to independently decide if a property is Waqf, a move critics argue undermines community autonomy.​