Amid violence during the protest against the Waqf (Amendment) Act in Murshidabad district of West Bengal, Islamic religious leader Maulana Shafiq said on Sunday (April 13, 2025) that attacking people in the name of protest is against the principles of Islam and should be condemned.

In Kolkata, Imam Shafiq of Nakhoda Mosque, more than 100 years old, also claimed that most of the people of other religions are against the new Act. He said, “Those who have attacked innocent people cannot be a part of any democratic opposition against the Waqf (Amendment) Act. What they did is against the principles of Islam.”

‘Right to accept everyone as their religion’

Addressing reporters, Shafiq said, “Everyone has the right to obey their religion.” Shafiq alleged that some vested selfish elements who want to divide the people of West Bengal and want to spread unrest for political gains have hatched this conspiracy.

He urged members of every community not to be influenced by their (anti -social) tricks. Senior Maulvi, who came with the Imams of several mosques of the city, said that he is waiting for the proposed meeting with Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee on 16 April. The Chief Minister is going to hold a meeting with religious leaders of the Muslim community regarding the Waqf (Amendment) Act on that day (16 April).

The meeting is to be held with Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee

Shafiq said, “(in that meeting) Bengal will show the way to fight against the law peacefully and democratically with the participation of various communities. Bengal will maintain the tradition of maintaining harmony among different communities that have been identifying us for centuries.”

Three people have died in the Murshidabad violence and the police have arrested more than 150 people. On the order of the Calcutta High Court, central forces have been deployed in violent areas. According to police officials, the situation in Murshidabad is currently normal.

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