Noida/Lucknow/Patna: Imams across Uttar Pradesh and Bihar have been issued notices to sign bonds, a step perceived as an effort to curb protests against the recently passed Waqf Bill. The bill has sparked criticism from Muslim organizations and opposition leaders who claim it threatens Waqf properties and Muslim institutions nationwide.

Authorities have increased police presence and surveillance, particularly around mosques, in response to the dissent. Maulana Shamsuddin, an imam from Noida, expressed his frustration after receiving a notice from the police. “Is it now a crime to protest peacefully?” he asked. “This is harassment. Forcing religious leaders to sign a INR 50,000 bond is not democracy.”

In Noida, located near the capital, police visited mosques, instructing imams and committee members to sign bonds with conditions against protesting or inciting gatherings against the bill. Many have complied under pressure.

DCP Harish Chander, a senior police officer in Noida, confirmed the move, describing it as a precaution to maintain peace and order. “The bond is a preventive step to ensure there is no breach of law,” he stated.

Muslim leaders argue that this measure targets their community, aiming to silence dissent. Advocate Faizan Khan, a social activist from Lucknow, questioned the focus solely on mosques and Muslims.

The notices have been issued to several mosques in cities such as Lucknow, Kanpur, and Ghaziabad. In some instances, elderly imams have been summoned to police stations and cautioned against promoting agitation.

This development highlights the tension surrounding the Waqf Bill and raises questions about the balance between maintaining order and respecting religious freedoms.