Kanpur turned into a high-security zone on April 2, 2025, as the controversial Waqf (Amendment) Bill took center stage in Parliament.

With tensions simmering over the proposed changes to the Waqf Act, authorities deployed a formidable force—police, Provincial Armed Constabulary (PAC), and drones—to keep the peace. Sensitive areas buzzed with activity as Deputy Commissioners of Police (DCPs) and Additional DCPs led foot patrols, while riot control measures, activated a day earlier, underscored the city’s volatile mood.

The bill, set to overhaul the management of Waqf properties, has sparked nationwide debate. In Kanpur, home to 1,669 identified Waqf properties—548 on government land—opposition has been vocal. Just before Eid, worshippers at Friday prayers donned black armbands to protest, signaling deep unrest. Posts on social media reflect the city’s edge, with reports of drones hovering and police blanketing key zones to deter trouble.

This isn’t just precaution—it’s a response to a simmering feud. The bill’s provisions, including non-Muslim representation on Waqf boards, have drawn ire from Muslim groups, while the government insists it’s about transparency.

For Kanpur, a city with a history of communal flashpoints, the stakes are high. As Parliament debates, all eyes are on whether this security clampdown holds—or if the streets erupt. One thing’s clear: the Waqf Bill has turned Kanpur into a tinderbox, waiting for a spark.