India is witnessing massive protests across various regions over the controversial Muslim Wakf Amendment Bill, recently passed in both the Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha.
Amid the escalating unrest, an enraged mob set fire to the house of a Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leader, who is also the president of the party’s Minority Morcha in Manipur. This incident took place on Sunday evening, reportedly due to the leader’s support for the controversial bill, according to Indian media outlet NDTV.
NDTV, citing multiple sources, reported that the protest took a violent turn in Thoubal district’s Lilong area, where more than 5,000 people gathered on National Highway 102. Despite heavy police presence, additional paramilitary forces were later deployed. Protesters were allowed to gather near Lilong Haoreibi through the Alia Madrasa area under strict security surveillance.
Lilong is known to have the highest Muslim population in Manipur. Symbolic protests erupted in Muslim-majority areas after the midday prayers on Sunday, with demonstrators chanting slogans and holding placards.
Security forces had been deployed since morning in several Muslim-dominated neighborhoods. However, members of the Muslim community criticized these measures, stating that such actions aimed to suppress democratic protest and intimidate them.
Minor clashes between protesters and security forces were reported in some areas. In Irong Chesaba of Thoubal, a clash broke out when law enforcement tried to forcibly disperse a gathering.
Social activist and community leader Sakir Ahmed, who participated in the protest, stated that the Wakf Amendment Bill goes against the principles of the Indian Constitution and is completely unacceptable to the Muslim community.
Protests were also reported from various parts of Imphal East including Kshetri Awang Leikai, Kairang Muslim, and Kiyamgei Muslim areas, as well as from Bishnupur district’s Sora area.