Supreme Court Terms Violence Over Anti-Waqf Protests ‘Disturbing’

NEW DELHI: The Supreme Court on Wednesday expressed serious concern over the ongoing violence linked to protests against the Waqf (Amendment) Act, 2025. The matter came up during a hearing on petitions questioning the constitutional validity of the amended law.

A bench led by Chief Justice Sanjiv Khanna, along with Justices Sanjay Kumar and K V Viswanathan, noted that the continued unrest was deeply troubling. “One thing that is very disturbing is the violence that is taking place. If the matter is pending here, then it should not happen,” the Chief Justice observed.

Solicitor General Tushar Mehta, representing the Centre, echoed the court’s concern and stated that certain protestors appeared to be trying to “pressurise the system” through unrest.

In response, senior advocate Kapil Sibal—representing a Muslim organisation—disputed the implication, remarking, “Who is pressuring who we don’t know.”

Despite the tensions, the Chief Justice acknowledged there were “positive points in the bill” that deserved attention.

Meanwhile, fresh violence erupted in the Bhangar area of South 24 Parganas district in West Bengal on April 14, related to the Waqf law. However, authorities maintained that the situation remained mostly under control in Murshidabad, a previous flashpoint.

Earlier this month, communal clashes in Murshidabad—particularly in Suti, Samserganj, Dhulian, and Jangipur—left at least three people dead and hundreds displaced. These incidents occurred on April 11 and 12 during protests against the law. In response, the Calcutta High Court recently ordered the deployment of central forces in the violence-affected district.

(With PTI Inputs)