Jaipur Muslims Pray with Black Armbands to Protest Waqf Bill
Jaipur witnessed a powerful yet peaceful demonstration on March 28, 2025, as hundreds of Muslims tied black armbands and offered namaz during the last Friday of Ramadan, protesting the proposed Waqf Amendment Bill 2024. The call for this symbolic protest came from the All India Muslim Personal Law Board (AIMPLB), which urged the community to voice their dissent against the bill, claiming it threatens their religious autonomy and property rights.
The prayers, held outside the historic Jama Masjid in Johari Bazaar, saw a significant turnout, with participants expressing their anguish over what they perceive as an attempt to encroach upon Waqf properties. “This bill is an attack on our identity and heritage. We won’t let our mosques and graveyards be taken away,” said Mohammad Aslam, a local resident who joined the protest. The AIMPLB has argued that the amendments would allow non-Muslims to oversee Waqf boards, a move they deem unacceptable.
Adding fuel to the controversy, a local MLA from the opposition lashed out at the central government, accusing Prime Minister Narendra Modi of playing a double game. “On one hand, Modi is distributing Eid gifts under schemes like ‘Saugat-e-Modi’ to win over Muslims, and on the other, he’s pushing policies like the Waqf Bill to intimidate us,” the legislator remarked during a press conference in Jaipur. The MLA further alleged that the bill is part of a broader strategy to undermine minority rights, urging the community to resist through democratic means.
The protest remained peaceful, with police maintaining a close watch to ensure order. Community leaders emphasized that the black armbands symbolized their resolve to protect their institutions, not disrupt harmony. Meanwhile, BJP leaders defended the bill, with Jagdambika Pal, chairman of the Joint Parliamentary Committee reviewing it, calling the protest “misguided” and accusing the AIMPLB of politicizing a sacred day.
As the debate intensifies, the Waqf Bill continues to stir emotions in Rajasthan and beyond, with both sides digging in for a prolonged standoff. The government has yet to respond officially to the latest protests, but the issue promises to remain a flashpoint as Eid approaches.