Amid nationwide debates and scattered demonstrations over the newly passed Waqf Amendment Act, Assam has emerged as an island of calm. Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma on Friday lauded the people of the state and the Assam Police for maintaining peace and harmony, despite concerns that the sensitive nature of the issue could have led to widespread unrest. Taking to social media platform X, Sarma wrote, “Despite having nearly 40% Muslim population, Assam has remained peaceful today except isolated protests in three places involving not more than 150 participants each against the Waqf Amendment Act.” According to the Chief Minister, the scattered demonstrations were held in only three locations and involved limited participation. He emphasized that the protests remained non-violent and were handled with restraint and efficiency by law enforcement officials.
CM Sarma credited the state’s peaceful atmosphere to the extensive groundwork carried out by the police in advance. “The Assam Police deserve special recognition for their proactive role in preventing any untoward incident. Their efforts ensured that normal life continued undisturbed across the state,” he said. He further added that the broader public sentiment reflects a collective commitment to unity and cultural celebration. “People across Assam—irrespective of caste, creed, or community—are united in spirit and eagerly preparing to welcome our beloved Bohag Bihu with joy and harmony,” Sarma noted. The Waqf Amendment Act, which has sparked sharp reactions in some other states, seeks to restructure the management of Waqf properties. While it has faced criticism from sections of the Muslim community who claim the changes may weaken the rights of traditional Waqf boards, Assam’s relatively calm response has caught the attention of political observers.
Officials confirmed that police forces across the state are continuing to remain vigilant. “Security measures have been tightened at sensitive spots, but there is no sign of any large-scale mobilisation,” said a senior police official, speaking on condition of anonymity.
