Waqf Act Protest in Bhangarh: The political temperature in West Bengal continued to climb on Sunday as fresh protests erupted in Bhangarh over the controversial Waqf Act, resulting in heightened tensions between police forces and demonstrators. Following similar protest movements in Malda and Murshidabad earlier this month, Bhangarh in the South 24 Parganas district became the latest flashpoint in what is turning into a statewide agitation.
According to sources, a mass mobilization of locals, including a section of the minority community, had been planned to gather at Ramlila Maidan in Bhangarh. The gathering was intended to voice strong objections to the Waqf Act, a piece of legislation that some sections of the population claim is being misused to encroach upon private lands under the guise of religious endowment regulations. Protesters allege that the Act lacks transparency and has caused distress among landowners, particularly in rural areas where awareness and documentation of land rights are limited.
Waqf Act Protest in Bhangarh: Protest March Blocked by Authorities
However, even before the protestors could reach the designated protest site at Ramlila Maidan, police authorities intervened, setting up barricades across key points on the Basanti Highway, a critical route connecting Bhangarh to Kolkata and other adjoining areas. The heavy police deployment was aimed at preempting any outbreak of violence or unlawful assembly, according to district administration officials.
The protestors, reportedly numbering in the hundreds, attempted to push forward despite police warnings. Tensions began to escalate rapidly when demonstrators, many of whom were seen waving placards and chanting slogans against the Waqf Board, attempted to forcibly breach the police barricades. In response, police forces resorted to mild baton charges and pushed back the crowd to maintain public order.
Eyewitnesses at the scene described the situation as “tense but under control,” with law enforcement personnel maintaining a tight cordon around the blocked section of the highway. The Basanti Highway remained partially obstructed for over three hours, affecting traffic movement and causing inconvenience to commuters and transporters. Emergency vehicles were allowed to pass, but regular vehicular movement was severely restricted.
Waqf Act Protest in Bhangarh: Local Sentiments and Rising Discontent
The protest is part of a growing wave of dissent in parts of rural and semi-urban Bengal, where sections of the population—cutting across communities—have raised concerns about alleged irregularities and land encroachments linked to the Waqf Board. Activists leading the agitation claim that the Waqf Act, while meant to manage Muslim charitable properties, is being misapplied to claim ownership of private lands without proper verification or public consultation.
One local resident, participating in the protest, stated, “We have no issue with religious institutions or the Waqf Board per se. But we demand clarity, accountability, and a halt to arbitrary land seizures in the name of religious endowment. The law needs reform, not blind enforcement.”
In contrast, some members of the local administration argue that many of the recent claims are based on misinformation and lack of proper documentation on the part of landholders. They maintain that Waqf properties are recorded under legally validated records and are managed as per the provisions of the Central Waqf Council under the Ministry of Minority Affairs.
Waqf Act Protest in Bhangarh: Police and Administrative Response
Speaking to the press, a senior police officer deployed in the area said, “We respect the right of people to protest, but we also have a duty to ensure that protests do not lead to public disorder or block essential roads. Today’s protest was not granted prior permission, and the attempt to march toward Ramlila Maidan in such large numbers posed a law and order risk.”
As of late evening, no major injuries were reported, though several protesters were briefly detained and later released after preliminary verification. The situation has reportedly stabilized, with security forces continuing to patrol key areas of Bhangarh and monitoring social media for the spread of inflammatory content or false information.
District officials have appealed to the public to maintain peace and not to fall prey to rumors. Talks are reportedly being initiated with local community leaders and protest organizers in an attempt to de-escalate tensions and create a platform for dialogue.
Waqf Act Protest in Bhangarh: Political Reactions and Broader Implications
The incident has also sparked political reactions across party lines, with some opposition leaders condemning the police action as “undemocratic suppression of peaceful protest.” Others have accused the ruling administration of mismanaging Waqf-related records and allowing land disputes to spiral into public unrest.
Political analysts warn that if left unaddressed, such protests may snowball into a larger movement, especially with upcoming elections on the horizon. The Waqf Act has emerged as a lightning rod for public grievance in several pockets of Bengal, particularly in districts where land ownership and inheritance issues are often complex and poorly documented.
In the coming days, much will depend on how the state government handles the concerns surrounding the Waqf Act. While the call for legal review and greater transparency grows louder, the immediate focus remains on restoring peace in Bhangarh and ensuring that the protest does not lead to further escalation or communal tension.
In turn, Trinamool MLA Shawkat Mollah claimed, ‘Trinamool is not yet in a situation where it has to stop a four-paisa party like ISF. In fact, the people are not with them. That is why they are saying these things out of frustration.’ After that, he accused the BJP-ISF of collusion and said, ‘Shubhendu Adhikari and Abhijit Gangopadhyay have the best relations with Naushad now.’
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