UP issues notices to 24 for wearing black badges against Waqf Bill

Muzaffarnagar: In Uttar Pradesh's Muzaffarnagar district, authorities have issued notices to 24 individuals for protesting against the Waqf (Amendment) Bill, 2025. The protesters wore black badges to express their opposition. Each individual has been asked to furnish a bond of Rs 2 lakh.

Superintendent of Police (City) Satyanarayan Prajapat announced on Saturday that the police have served notices to 24 individuals involved in protests and added that police have identified more people on the basis of CCTV footage.

The notices were issued by City Magistrate Vikas Kashyap on the police report, asking them to furnish bonds of Rs two lakh each after appearing before the court on April 16. These people were found protesting against the Waqf (Amendment) Bill, 2025, and wearing black badges on their arms during last Friday prayers of Ramzan in different mosques here on March 28.

The individuals who received notices said they wore black badges as a peaceful and democratic form of protest.

Minority Affairs Minister Kiren Rijiju tabled the Waqf (Amendment) Bill, 2025, in the Rajya Sabha on Thursday, asserting that the legislation is not against Muslims or intended to hurt their religious feelings but seeks to improve the functioning of Waqf properties, address complexities, ensure transparency and introduce technology-driven management.

The Waqf (Amendment) Bill, 2025, was passed by the Lok Sabha with a vote of 288 in favour and 232 against, following nearly 12 hours of intense debate. The Rajya Sabha later approved the bill after a 13-hour discussion, with 128 members voting in favour and 95 opposing it.

(inputs from PTI)