Hundreds of Muslims Booked in Muzaffarnagar for Wearing Black Armbands in Silent Protest Against Waqf Bill

Muzaffarnagar, April 5 — In a move drawing widespread concern, the Uttar Pradesh Police have booked hundreds of Muslims in Muzaffarnagar for wearing black armbands during Friday and Eid prayers to protest against the controversial Waqf Amendment Bill. The symbolic act, held within mosque premises, was described by participants as peaceful and without any disruption to public order.

Despite the non-violent nature of the demonstration, notices issued by City Magistrate Vikas Kashyap accuse the participants of “inciting the public” and potentially disturbing peace and law and order. The notices cite Section 130 of the Indian Civil Defence Code, referencing a challan filed by the Civil Lines Police Station that labels the armband protest as a threat capable of “spreading misinformation.”

Each individual named in the notice is required to appear in court on April 16, 2025, and furnish a surety bond of Rs 2 lakh. Among those summoned is Naeem Tyagi, the principal of Madrasa Mahmudiya, who reportedly did not even participate by wearing an armband.

The move has sparked unrest across several Muslim-majority districts, including Lucknow, Sambhal, Meerut, Moradabad, Amroha, Rampur, Aligarh, Agra, Bareilly, Firozabad, and Shamli. In anticipation of rising tensions, authorities have stepped up security measures. A flag march was conducted on Thursday in sensitive areas by senior law enforcement officials, including Muzaffarnagar SSP Satyanarayan Prajapat, DIG Saharanpur, and ADM (E) Narendra Bahadur Singh.

The protest was in response to the recently passed Waqf Amendment Bill in the Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha, which critics claim threatens the autonomy and functioning of Muslim endowment institutions.

As the April 16 hearing approaches, civil rights groups and community leaders are calling for a review of the state’s response, citing concerns over democratic freedoms and the right to peaceful protest.