300 Muzaffarnagar served ₹2 lakh bond notices for protesting against Waqf Act with black badge

Authorities in Muzaffarnagar have issued notices to 300 individuals who wore black badges during Friday prayers on March 28 to protest against the recently passed Waqf (Amendment) Act, 2025. The protesters have been directed to furnish personal bonds of ₹2 lakh each and appear in court on April 16. Police officials stated the individuals were identified using CCTV footage from various mosques across the city.

Superintendent of Police (City) Satyanarayan Prajapat said on Saturday that 24 people had initially been served notices, and by Sunday, the figure rose to 300. “Notices were served to 300 people after identifying them through CCTV footage. Efforts are on to identify more people,” he said. The notices were issued based on a police report submitted to the administration.

City Magistrate Vikas Kashyap issued the notices under relevant legal provisions, asking each person to submit a ₹2 lakh bond. Police say the protest involved participants wearing black badges on their arms during Friday prayers, which was interpreted as a public show of dissent against the Waqf (Amendment) Act, 2025.

The Waqf (Amendment) Bill was passed in the Lok Sabha on Thursday with 288 votes in favour and 232 against. It was cleared by the Rajya Sabha after a 13-hour debate on Friday, with 128 members voting in support and 95 opposing it. President Droupadi Murmu gave her assent to the Bill on Saturday, making it law.

According to authorities, the identification process is ongoing, and more notices may be served. The black badge protest on March 28 has been recorded at multiple mosque locations across Muzaffarnagar. The administrative action comes following the implementation of the amended Waqf Act after its approval by both Houses of Parliament and the President.