Protests Erupt Over Waqf (Amendment) Bill Outside Uddhav Thackeray's Residence

Police detained at least 10 members of the Muslim community for protesting outside Uddhav Thackeray's residence in Bandra over the Waqf (Amendment) bill. No FIR was registered, and protesters were released after a notice. The bill sparked controversy in Lok Sabha, being called anti-Muslim.

On Saturday, police detained at least 10 members of the Muslim community for protesting outside Shiv Sena (UBT) chief Uddhav Thackeray's residence in Bandra over the contentious Waqf (Amendment) bill.

A potential clash was averted when police quickly whisked away the protesters, who raised slogans against Thackeray, seeking a clarification on his party's stance on the bill. Concurrently, Shiv Sena (UBT) workers began gathering outside the 'Maotshree' residence, a police official revealed.

A Shiv Sena (UBT) leader accused the BJP of orchestrating the protest. The detained demonstrators, mostly hailing from the Kurla area, were taken to a police station and will be released after serving a notice, with no FIR being registered, the official added.

One protester alleged that nine MPs from Thackeray's faction walked out of Lok Sabha during the bill's discussion. Introduced in Lok Sabha on Thursday, the Waqf (Amendment) Bill has been referred to a joint parliamentary panel following heated debates, with the government asserting it does not aim to interfere with mosques' functioning and the opposition labeling it as anti-Muslim and unconstitutional.

(With inputs from agencies.)