Manipur BJP Leader’s Home Set on Fire over Waqf Amendment Bill Support

An enraged mob, reportedly from the ‘Meitei Pangal’ (Muslim) community, set fire to the home of Askar Ali Makakmayum, the state president of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) Minority Morcha in Manipur. The attack, which occurred around 9 PM on Sunday evening, is believed to be a direct response to Makakmayum’s public support for the controversial Waqf (Amendment) Act, 2025—a piece of legislation that has sparked protests and widespread debate across India.

Local sources indicate that a large crowd gathered outside Makakmayum’s residence in Libong, located in the Thoubal district, a predominantly Muslim area. The mob reportedly vandalized the property before setting it ablaze, leaving the house severely damaged. Eyewitnesses claimed that attempts by the Manipur Fire Service to extinguish the flames were hindered by protesters, who also blocked police from intervening in a timely manner. Fortunately, no injuries were reported, but the incident has exacerbated tensions in the region.

The unrest follows Makakmayum’s vocal endorsement of the Waqf (Amendment) Act, which he expressed on social media just a day before the attack. In a Facebook post on Saturday, he wrote, “Do not do politics on the Waqf Amendment Bill. We welcome Bill. We support WAB,” tagging senior BJP leaders, including Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Union Home Minister Amit Shah. This statement was met with strong backlash from segments of the Muslim community in Manipur, who view the legislation as a violation of their rights.

The Waqf (Amendment) Act, passed by both houses of Parliament on April 5, aims to reform the management of Waqf properties by introducing “greater transparency and oversight.” However, critics and opposition argue that it undermines the autonomy of Waqf boards and infringes upon constitutional principles, sparking protests in several states, including Manipur. Muslims have strongly condemned the bill as a targeted assault on their religious freedom. Since May 2023, Manipur has been plagued by intense violence, which led to the imposition of President’s Rule on February 13 of this year. This fresh flare up has put authorities on alert yet again.

In response to the attack, the Thoubal district administration imposed prohibitory orders under Section 163 of the BNS (equivalent to previous Section 144 of CRPC) across the Lilong Assembly constituency on Monday morning. Later that night, Makakmayum issued a public apology through a video posted online, retracting his earlier support for the legislation. Clearly shaken by the violence, he expressed regret for his earlier stance and called for a reconsideration of the law. “I apologize if my words hurt anyone. I no longer support the amendments,” he said, visibly distressed.

The torching of Makakmayum’s home marks a significant escalation in the ongoing controversy surrounding the Waqf (Amendment) Act, underscoring the deep divisions the law has ignited. As Manipur continues to grapple with this latest outbreak of violence, authorities are preparing for further demonstrations, with additional security forces deployed to maintain order in Thoubal and neighboring areas.