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Won’t allow anyone to touch waqf property: Mamata in Malda after TMC minister’s remarks

After resisting for months, the TMC govt recently issued directions to upload details of 82,000 waqf properties on the Central portal by December 5

2 min readKolkataDec 4, 2025 06:35 AM IST

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West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee on Wednesday defended her government’s position on the Centre’s new Waqf law, saying it was “made by the BJP”, and that her government would not allow anyone to “touch” the Waqf properties in the state.

For months, the state government had refused to implement the Waqf Amendment Act, which was passed by both houses of Parliament earlier this year. However, in a sudden shift of stance, the TMC government in the state last month issued directions to upload details of 82,000 Waqf properties on the Central portal by December 5 deadline.

The decision has drawn criticism from several minority groups and organisations.

Speaking at Gajol in Malda, a minority-dominated district, the chief minister said, “Some are trying to incite divisions using religion. The Waqf amended law has been made by the BJP. We resisted it… We passed a resolution in the Assembly against it; we moved the Supreme Court, which is ongoing. As long as we are here, we will not let anyone touch waqf properties. Whoever it may be, I will not allow anyone to touch religious places. I do not do communal politics. I love all faiths.”

“We stood with all religions and will continue to do so. We will not allow anyone to snatch away people’s rights,” she said, reiterating that no Waqf property would be touched under her watch.

On Tuesday, TMC minister and Jamiat Ulema-e-Hind Bengal president Siddiqullah Chowdhury had said that “Muslims will not stay quiet if Waqf properties are taken away”.

Taking a dig at both the BJP-led Centre and the state’s reluctant compliance, he said, “It is very easy to speak from AC rooms. But who will go to a village and tell the people that the Waqf land is no longer theirs? This has been imposed forcefully on Muslims.”

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To compound the crisis, the AIMIM is set to hold a protest in Kolkata against the state government’s decision to accept the new law after resisting it for months, sharpening competitive minority politics ahead of next year’s Assembly polls.

Atri Mitra

Atri Mitra is a highly accomplished Special Correspondent for The Indian Express, bringing over 20 years of experience to his reporting. His work is characterized by deep regional knowledge and a focus on critical administrative and political developments, establishing strong Expertise and Authority in his domain. Experience Current Role: Special Correspondent, The Indian Express. Decades of Experience: Over two decades of extensive reporting experience, primarily covering administration and political news. Geographical Focus: Holds significant reporting experience from West Bengal, Bihar, and the North-East, providing a comprehensive understanding of the socio-political landscape in these regions. Key Coverage: Has dedicated more than ten years to covering administration and political news, with a keen focus on political developments in West Bengal. Electoral Reporting: Demonstrated a commitment to crucial political moments, having covered the 2009 Lok Sabha election and 2010 assembly elections during his time at Anandabazar Patrika, and the 2019 Bihar Lok Sabha election while working with News18-Bangla. Career Foundation: Began his career at the leading vernacular daily Anandabazar Patrika, where he worked for more than fifteen years, including a three-year stint as the Bihar correspondent. Education Advanced Degree: Holds a Master's degree in Economics from Rabindrabharati University, providing an analytical framework for his political and administrative reporting. Undergraduate Education: Holds a Bachelor's degree from Calcutta University. Prestigious Alumni: His educational background includes attending esteemed institutions: he is an alumnus of St. Xavier's, Kolkata and Ramakrishna Mission Asrama, Narendrapur. Atri Mitra's decades of dedicated reporting, substantial focus on political and administrative beats, and solid academic credentials make him a trusted and authoritative source for news and analysis from Eastern and North-Eastern India. ... Read More

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