Fear Amid Loathing in Lucknow

An atmosphere of fear and the shadow of the bulldozer hang heavy over the heads of Lucknow's Muslims who are against the Waqf Act, but are too afraid and worried to protest

- Avantika Mehta

SAJAD Hussain has lived in the Shia Lines Waqf colony in Lucknow for five years now. His two-storey house is one of the only completed homes in the colony. The government slapped a ceiling case on it three years ago, stopping all construction.

Since then, the neighbourhood, like its structures, has been in a kind of limbo; cement, bricks and lives all kept on hold. When asked about the recently passed Waqf Amendment Act, Hussain laughs. “The Act? Oh, it’s excellent—exactly what we needed.” As he says this, Hussain’s eyes dart towards Bablu Bhai, also known as Syed Haider, the colony’s caretaker, seeking approval.

Haider, who oversees the day-to-day workings of the colony, has been living there for over nine years. He follows us around during our visit to the Shia Lines Waqf colony, whispering to each resident we speak to: “Just tell them about your life, how you are living here. No need to lie, but don’t say anything else.”

Haider is afraid, like every other resident in the Shia colony. They are scared that if one of them was to openly criticise the government in Uttar Pradesh, “a bulldozer might arrive at our gate tomorrow,” explains Hussain.

So, does he really think the 2025 Waqf Act is an excellent move for Muslims in UP? In a hushed tone, eyes darting again to ensure Haider isn’t nearby, he replies, “There is a lot of corruption inside the Waqf Boards, yes. But non-Muslims should not be part of the Boards. This isn’t right. Are there any Hindu institutions into which non-Hindus are forcibly inserted?”