Over 300 in India's Uttar Pradesh ordered to appear before court over Waqf law protest

More than 300 residents in India's northern Uttar Pradesh state have been served legal notices and asked to appear before a court after participating in silent protests against recent changes to Islamic charitable endowment laws, The Times of India reported Saturday.

The development came after the Indian parliament, led by the right-wing Hindu nationalist Bhartiya Janata Party (BJP), on Friday passed a controversial bill governing Islamic charitable endowments, known as waqf.

Authorities ordered the residents who allegedly wore black bands during protest prayers on March 28 to appear before a magistrate and provide a bond of 200,000 Indian rupees (approximately $2,338) each — a financial guarantee intended to ensure they refrain from further protests or unlawful activity.

A participant, who wished to remain anonymous, told the daily that the decision to issue notices was "unfair," noting that the event was "only a silent protest," carried out peacefully.

The 2024 Waqf Amendment Bill proposed changes to 44 sections of the 1995 Waqf Act, including permitting non-Muslims on waqf boards, limiting property donations, and altering the functioning of waqf tribunals.

Waqf properties, which Muslims donate for religious or charitable purposes, include mosques, graveyards, seminaries, orphanages, schools, markets, and large tracts of land throughout India.