Manipur witnessed a surge in protests against the controversial Waqf Amendment Act, 2025, with demonstrations erupting across several districts, including Imphal East, Thoubal, and Bishnupur. The protests, led by the Meitei Pangal community, have drawn thousands of participants, highlighting widespread discontent over the legislation.
Kshetrigao MLA Sheikh Noorul Hassan, a senior leader of the National People’s Party (NPP)—an ally of the ruling NDA—has announced plans to challenge the Act in the Supreme Court. Hassan criticized the central government for passing the legislation without consulting stakeholders, calling it “unjust and deeply insensitive to the sentiments of the Muslim community.” He urged for its immediate repeal to restore communal harmony.
The Waqf Amendment Act, which received presidential assent last week, introduces significant changes to the management of waqf properties, including curbing the authority of waqf boards and increasing government oversight. Critics argue that the amendments threaten community-owned properties and undermine constitutional rights.
Protests have taken various forms, from human chains in Imphal East to large rallies in Bishnupur’s Kwakta town, where over 5,000 demonstrators marched. The situation escalated in Thoubal district, where a mob set fire to the house of BJP Minority Morcha state president Md Asker Ali, who had publicly supported the Act. In response, authorities imposed curfews and increased security measures in sensitive areas.
The protests come amid ongoing ethnic tensions in Manipur, which has been under President’s Rule since February. Community leaders and legal experts have warned that the Act could further destabilize the region, urging the government to reconsider its stance.
As the Supreme Court prepares to hear petitions challenging the Act, the protests in Manipur underscore the growing opposition to the legislation and its potential impact on communal harmony in the state. The outcome of this legal battle will be closely watched, both within Manipur and across the nation.
