Mamata’s public posturing on Waqf Act gives way to quiet submission

West Bengal has begun complying with the Union government's directive to upload details of Waqf properties on the Centre’s online portal.

- SUPROTIM MUKHERJEE

Mamata Banerjee

Months after declaring that it would not implement the Wagf Amendment Act, Mamata government in West Bengal has quietly begun complying with the Union government's directive to upload details of Waaf properties on the Centre's online portal. Thisis in line with the provisions of the Act.

Despite public posturing against it, the Mamata Banerjee-led government initiative marksa significant departure from the political rhetoric and street protests that rocked the state earlier this year.

This step comes months after vehement opposition from the Trinamool Congress (TMC) leadership and widespread communal violence, especially in Murshidabad district, sparked by the contentious Waqf (Amendment) Act, 2025. The State administration's decision to adhere to the deadline set by the Centre hasstirred debate over the political and administrative handling ofthe issue in Bengal.

The Centre issued a directive requiring all States to upload complete details of “undisputed” Waqf properties on the Unified Member Information Database (UMID) portal by December 6, 2025.

Despite Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee’s strong public declarations in April that the amended Wagf Act would not be implemented in West Bengal, state officials have initiated the process of data entry and uploading,

According to sources in the minority affairs and madrasah education department, district magistrates were instructed to lead the effortby holding consultative meetings with local religious leaders—including imams, muezzins, and madrasa teachers—to clarify the task. ‘Technical facilitation centres have been set up to ensure smooth compliance. Only uncontested properties are beingentered on the portal to avoid exacerbating tensions.