Guwahati: Bhotgaon, Kokrajhar district witnessed a surge of dissent on April 4, as the All Assam Minority Students’ Union (AAMSU) mobilized hundreds of its members to vehemently oppose the recently passed Waqf Bill.
The scene was marked by a powerful display of resistance, with protestors bearing black cloths across their mouths and wielding sticks, symbolizing their deep dissatisfaction.
The demonstration escalated as copies of the Waqf Bill were set ablaze, a dramatic gesture intended to underscore the protestors’ rejection of the legislation.
Jumir Ali Seik, President of AAMSU Kokrajhar District, articulated the core grievance to gathered media, stating, “We will never accept this bill that was passed in the midnight session of Parliament on March 2. This bill is an attempt to treat the Waqf properties as the exclusive wealth of the Muslim community, which is highly concerning.”
Seik further emphasized the perceived negative impact the bill would have on the Muslim community, particularly within the state of Assam. He voiced strong objections to the bill’s provisions, asserting that they threatened the community’s interests.
The protestors extended their criticism to the NDA-led Union Government, accusing it of employing the bill to advance communal political agendas. Seik highlighted the lack of substantive debate prior to the bill’s passage, noting that the hurried legislative process had fueled suspicions regarding the government’s motives.
AAMSU leaders have pledged to escalate their campaign against the controversial bill, calling upon both state and central authorities to address their concerns. The protest in Kokrajhar is anticipated to be the first of many, as the organization intends to broaden its opposition across the region in the days ahead.
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