GUWAHATI
The minority-based All India United Democratic Front (AIUDF) said Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma should not be under the illusion that the State’s Muslims would not combat the amended Waqf Act.
The AIUDF reacted to the Chief Minister’s claim on social media that Assam had remained peaceful “despite having nearly 40% Muslim population”, and that “isolated protests in three places” against the Waqf Amendment Act did not attract more than 150 participants each.
“The Chief Minister should not be under any illusion. Muslims in Assam are unhappy with the Bharatiya Janata Party’s plan to snatch Waqf property from them. We will fight against the changes made in the Act legally and democratically,” AIUDF general secretary and MLA Rafiqul Islam told journalists on Saturday.
Earlier, Mr. Sarma lauded the Assam police for ensuring calm after the Waqf (Amendment) Bill, 2025 became a law a week ago. He also highlighted the unity of the people ahead of the mid-April Bohag or Rongali Bihu celebrations.
Protests against the Waqf Act have been muted in Assam, where panchayat elections are scheduled on May 2 and 7. In contrast, two other northeastern States with fewer Muslims — Manipur and Tripura — have been restive.
Pangals or Meitei Muslims have been taking to the streets demanding the repeal of the Waqf Act. The anger led to arson in Manipur’s Lilong town on April 7, forcing local authorities to enforce a curfew.
A protest in Tripura’s Kailashahar town on Saturday turned violent, leaving several police personnel and protestors injured.
