Kolkata, Apr 9 (Reporter) Amid ongoing violent protests in West Bengal over the amended Waqf law, Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee on Wednesday assured the state's Muslim community that safeguarding their rights and property is her responsibility. Speaking at the Vishwa Navkar Mahamantra Divas, organised by the Jain community in Kolkata, Banerjee said, “I want to tell minorities - we know that you are hurt over the Waqf property matter. Please remember that when Didi is here, Didi will protect you and your property." “If I resist someone from occupying my house, I cannot allow anyone else’s property to be taken away,” the Chief Minister said. “We have 33 per cent Muslims here. They have been living here for centuries. What should I do? Throw them out of the country? It is my duty to protect them,” the chief minister said. In a subtle dig at the state's main opposition BJP, without naming them directly, the Chief Minister said that people of all religions, including minorities, live peacefully in Bengal “If I am invited by the Jain community, won’t I attend? I will. Who protects Hindus here? This is your home too. We believe in live and let live,” said Mamata. The Chief Minister also called on all communities to have faith in her government and urged them not to be misled by any political provocations and firmly assured that she would not allow Bengal to be divided along religious lines. “Give a message that we will all live together. There should be no impatience…..It is our duty to provide protection to all communities. I appeal to the minority communities to not fall for political provocation," Banerjee said. The Chief Minister’s remarks came after protests against the Waqf (Amendment) Act turned violent in several areas of Murshidabad district on Tuesday, leading to clashes that forced the district administration to suspend internet services and voice-over-internet telephony in multiple locations in the district. “Have faith, nothing of any sort will happen in Bengal that will allow ‘divide and rule’, " she added. Despite strong resistance from the opposition, the Waqf (Amendment) Bill, 2024 was cleared by both the Houses of the Indian parliament last week. According to the government, the ‘The Waqf (Amendment) Bill 2025’ seeks to streamline the management of Waqf properties by enhancing transparency, improving coordination between Waqf Boards and local authorities, safeguarding heritage sites, promoting social welfare, and protecting the rights of all stakeholders. However, critics of the bill argue that it grants increased powers to the government, including a greater role in surveying properties under the Waqf Boards. Under the new provisions, Waqf Boards and tribunals—which will now include non-Muslim members — must present valid documentation to claim a property as waqf, though the final authority lies with the government. Unlike the previous law, where the decisions of Waqf tribunals were considered final, the amended bill allows for judicial intervention in case of disputes...////...