Muslim Communities in India Face Mounting Pressure Amid Legal and Religious Tensions

June 2025 – By [Investigate Islam]

Over the past month, Muslim communities across India have witnessed a sharp rise in legal and political pressures, sparking protests, legal petitions, and fears of growing institutional interference in Islamic religious affairs. Two major developments have dominated headlines: the controversial amendments to the Waqf Act and restrictions imposed on mosque loudspeakers, particularly in Mumbai.

1. The Waqf Amendment Act 2025: A Turning Point in Religious Property Management

Legislative Changes:

In early April 2025, the Indian Parliament passed amendments to the Waqf Act of 1995, sparking widespread controversy among Muslim leaders, legal experts, and religious organizations. Key changes include:

• The appointment of non-Muslim members (up to two) to both central and state Waqf Boards.

• New requirements for documented proof of ownership for all waqf properties, many of which are historic and lack formal documentation.

• Expanded authority for the government to lease or repurpose waqf properties for public utility projects without needing consent from the original donors or Muslim administrators.

The amendments were passed with backing from the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and its allies, and are widely seen as part of a broader effort to bring religious endowments under tighter government control.

Public Backlash:

Mass protests erupted in several states, notably in Murshidabad (West Bengal), where police clashes reportedly left three people dead and led to over 300 arrests in early April. The protests gained momentum in Kerala, Odisha, Telangana, and other states, with major demonstrations organized by groups such as the All India Muslim Personal Law Board (AIMPLB) and All India Majlis-e-Ittehadul Muslimeen (AIMIM).

On April 30, a nationwide protest campaign dubbed “Lights Out” saw thousands of homes and mosques go dark in symbolic resistance. Peaceful rallies and sit-ins followed throughout May.

Political and Legal Response:

India’s opposition Congress Party expressed full support for the Muslim community’s concerns and held a solidarity rally in Hyderabad on May 18. Meanwhile, petitions were filed in the Supreme Court challenging several provisions of the amended law, particularly:

• The removal of protections for “waqf by user,” a customary Islamic practice.

• The inclusion of non-Muslim board members.

• The perceived violation of religious freedom under Articles 25–26 of the Indian Constitution.

Senior Islamic figures such as Asaduddin Owaisi, Obaidullah Obaisi, and religious scholars like Arshad Madani and Fazlur Rahim Mujaddidi have publicly condemned the law, describing it as a systematic erosion of religious autonomy.

2. Restrictions on Mosque Loudspeakers in Mumbai Spark Legal Challenge

Government Orders:

In parallel with the Waqf controversy, Muslim communities in Mumbai faced new limitations on the use of loudspeakers in mosques, especially during the call to prayer (adhan). Following a directive from the High Court, Mumbai Police began removing or restricting loudspeaker use based on decibel level limitations (55 dB daytime, 45 dB nighttime).

New circulars issued in early May required proof of legal registration of mosque properties—either with the Waqf Board or the Charity Commission—as a condition for reauthorizing loudspeaker use. In some districts like Cheeta Camp and Trombay, police reduced the number of loudspeakers per mosque to just two and issued notices for non-compliance.

Community Reaction:

Muslim organizations, including Jamiat Ulama-e-Hind and Jamiat Ahl-e-Hadees, challenged the circular, stating that it lacked judicial basis and disproportionately targeted Muslim institutions. A legal petition has been filed in the High Court seeking to suspend the police directive and restore what the community calls a constitutionally protected religious practice.

Former state minister Arif Naseem Khan criticized the move, asserting that “the circular oversteps administrative authority and infringes on religious rights.”

Summary Table

Both controversies reflect a broader pattern of tension between religious minorities and state institutions in India, as legal, political, and administrative reforms continue to test the resilience of religious freedoms guaranteed under the Indian Constitution.

Sources

1. Times of India – Muslims decide to challenge loudspeaker circular in HC

2. Times of India – Mumbai Muslims oppose forcible removal of mosque loudspeakers

3. Times of India – Congress pledges support to AIMPLB in protest against Waqf Bill

4. Bar & Bench – Petition filed in SC challenging Waqf Amendment Act 2023

5. The Hindu – Reports on Murshidabad protests and national response (April–May 2025 coverage)

6. LiveLaw India – Legal analysis of the Waqf Board constitutional challenge

7. Indian Express – [Protests across Kerala, Telangana against Waqf property changes]