Dharna at Dharmatala Demands Repeal of Waqf Amendment Act and Other Key Issues

Kolkata: A three-day dharna began at Y-Channel, Dharmatala, demanding the repeal of the Waqf Amendment Act, 2025. The protest also raised several other concerns, including an end to the harassment of citizens and arbitrary branding of people as D-voters under the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) process, strict action against atrocities on Bengali migrant workers, restoration of OBC status, and the cancellation of fraudulent SC/ST certificates.

The agitation is being organized by the Constitution Protection Forum, a joint platform of 31 political parties as well as social, student, and religious organizations.

Earlier, on August 20, when the organizers attempted to stage the same dharna, police had forcibly detained all the leaders. Following extended discussions with the administration, the protest has now resumed.

On the first day, several prominent leaders addressed the gathering, including SDPI National Secretary Tayedul Islam, State President Hakikul Islam, Vice President Swapan Kumar Biswas, General Secretary Dr. Kamal Basirujjaman, ISF MLA Nawsad Siddiqui, Azad Samaj Party State In-charge Imtiyaz Molla, Welfare Party Vice President Sarowar Hossain, advocate Shamim Ahmed, among others.