In the last 48 hours, the Waqf Board has made significant and controversial claims on several land parcels across Bharat. In Maharashtra, it has asserted ownership of 40 acres surrounding the Kanifnath Mandir in Ahmednagar. Meanwhile, on the outskirts of Hyderabad, the board has claimed an additional 300 acres. In Karnataka, farmers are protesting after the Waqf Board laid claim to 1,200 acres of land in Honawad village, igniting widespread concerns over illegal land appropriation.
Allegations have surfaced, particularly in Karnataka, that the Congress government has indirectly supported the Waqf Board in several instances, raising concerns about its commitment to secularism. Despite advocating for secular principles, the Congress government has often shown a bias toward Islamic interests while sidelining Hindu concerns. This troubling pattern of favoritism has led to a growing sense of frustration among the Hindu community, especially as the government remains silent on these contentious issues.
Ahmednagar, Maharashtra: Waqf board claims 40 acres of Kanifnath mandir land
A significant controversy has emerged in Maharashtra’s Ahmednagar district, where the Waqf Board has seized 40 acres of land surrounding the Kanifnath Temple, asserting that it belongs to a nearby Dargah. Recently, the pujari and devotees of Kanifnath Mandir were attacked by an Islamist mob of over 40 individuals for singing bhajans. The land dispute reportedly traces back to 2005, when the land was registered under the Waqf Act, sparking ongoing legal battles.
According to reports from OpIndia, the Waqf Board has placed signage claiming ownership of the land, leading to confrontations with temple trustees who cited historical records to substantiate their claim. Shrihari Ambekar, a trustee of the Kanifnath Mandir, stated, “The land was entrusted to Biban, the wife of Shankar Bhai, as a caretaker. Our trust possesses documents from the pre-British era that support our ownership, which has been recognized by the District Court of Rahuri.”
Ambekar further alleged that in 2005, some local Islamic residents circumvented established procedures in the registration process, violating critical Waqf Act regulations that mandate notification to existing stakeholders. He emphasized that temple trustees were not informed of the registration, heightening tensions between the two parties. This incident follows a recent controversy in Karnataka’s Vijayapura district, where the Waqf Board reportedly claimed ownership of 1,200 acres of farmland.
Telangana: Hindu community rallies against Waqf board’s illegal land claims
The Waqf Board has laid claim to 750 acres of land in Malkajgiri, Medchal Malkajgiri District, Telangana, sparking outrage among thousands of residents. The Registration Department’s recent decision to halt the buying and selling of properties across over 100 survey numbers has intensified fears of a systematic land grab within the Hindu community. Residents were taken aback when Malkajgiri Sub-Registrar Srikanth announced that these lands were designated as Waqf property, a declaration made under directives from the State Registration and Stamps Department, which has faced criticism for its lack of transparency and failure to consult local stakeholders.
“This is nothing short of a draconian act,” expressed resident Ramesh. “The Waqf Board is attempting to seize our hard-earned properties without valid justification.” Malkajgiri, a suburb of Hyderabad and the largest Lok Sabha constituency in the country, is currently represented by BJP MP Eatala Rajender. On August 27, the Commissioner and Inspector General of Registration and Stamps instructed the District Registrar’s Office in Malkajgiri to add the specified lands to the Prohibited List.
The frustration among residents is palpable, as many question the legality of the Waqf Board’s claims, which emerged decades after they purchased these lands. “How can they suddenly declare our homes as Waqf land? This feels like a cruel joke,” exclaimed Phani, a resident of East Kakatiya Nagar. “We’ve invested our lives in these homes, and now they want to take it all away without any explanation.”
The Waqf Board’s actions, supported by a letter sent to the Collector of Medchal Malkajgiri, identified several survey numbers for inclusion on the prohibited list. This move has dire implications for residents, who fear not just the loss of their properties but also an erosion of their rights. “This is a blatant attempt to dispossess us under the guise of Waqf claims. It’s an assault on our community,” warned Raghavendra, another Malkajgiri resident. The areas impacted include Moulali, RTC Colony, Shafee Nagar, Tirumala Nagar, Bharat Nagar, NBH Colony, East Kakatiya Nagar, Old Safilguda, New Vidyanagar, Ram Brahma Nagar, Sri Krishna Nagar, and Sitarama Nagar.
Based on the reports from the Organiser, local leaders are mobilizing residents to stand against what they perceive as an unjust land grab. “We will not allow this to happen. Our voices will be heard, and we will fight back,” stated Cyanam Rajyalakshami, a local municipal corporator. Entire neighborhoods, including Moulali, RTC Colony, and Old Safilguda, are joining forces to oppose the Waqf Board’s claims.
Dr. Ravinuthala Shashidhar, national spokesperson for Vishwa Hindu Parishad (VHP), condemned the Telangana State Registration Department’s decision to classify registrations concerning the 750 acres as prohibited, based on the Waqf Board’s letter. “This decision has forced the Malkajgiri Sub-Registrar’s office to suspend property transactions related to these lands, causing immense distress to thousands of Hindu families.”
The situation in Malkajgiri serves as a stark reminder of the potential for abuse of power when land rights are threatened. Residents are calling for a thorough investigation into the legality of the Waqf claims and are prepared to challenge authorities at every level.
Vijayapura, Karnataka: Farmers stand firm against Waqf board’s land seizure claims
Farmers in Vijayapura district are up in arms as the Waqf Board has claimed ownership of 1,200 acres of farmland in Honwada village, alleging collusion between government officials and the Board. The controversy arose when farmers received notices indicating that their lands were designated as belonging to the Shah Aminuddin Dargah, an Islamic religious institution that had not existed for centuries. Suneel Shankarappa Tudigal, vice-president of Honwada Gram Panchayat, stated, “Our families have owned this land for generations. Around 41 farmers have been asked to provide ownership records, but we are the rightful owners. If the government doesn’t withdraw these notices, we will launch a massive protest.”
The farmers filed a petition with Karnataka’s district in-charge Minister MB Patil on October 24 after receiving the notices from the tehsildar, citing old government records that allegedly linked the land to Waqf. Recently, Minister for Housing, Waqf, and Minority Welfare Department Jameer Ahmed Khan held meetings with Waqf officials to address encroachments on Waqf lands, leading to the issuance of these controversial notices.
Minister Jamir Ahmad Khan has reportedly directed all district revenue officers to register these properties under the Waqf Board within 15 days. This directive has sparked significant controversy and unrest among the farming community, who are now facing the potential loss of their ancestral lands.
Despite the Waqf Board’s assertion that the claims are based on a 1974 gazette announcement, farmers remain unconvinced. “The land was marked as Waqf property, but a few notices were mistakenly sent to farmers,” Tabassum, an official from the Vijayapura Waqf board, explained, adding that if farmers possess valid land records, no action will be taken against them. However, tensions are escalating, and farmers have declared their readiness to protest if their grievances are not addressed. “Our land is our livelihood, and we will not let anyone take it from us,” expressed a concerned farmer.
In a bid to calm the situation, Minister M.B. Patil took to social media, assuring farmers that no private land unrelated to Waqf would be affected. He promised to investigate any incorrectly marked lands and assured the farmers that their rights would be upheld. However, scepticism persists among farmers who worry about losing their properties.
The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has criticized the state government for allegedly supporting the Waqf Board’s actions at the expense of farmers. They claim that the Congress government has enabled the Board to seize land for vote-bank politics. “Over 1,500 acres of their ancestral agricultural land have been claimed by the Waqf Board, threatening farmers’ livelihoods and property rights,” stated Tejashwi Surya, a BJP leader. He highlighted that the Congress governments had previously granted the Waqf Board unchecked powers to declare lands as Waqf with minimal inquiry.
The BJP has vowed to push for reforms, including changes to the Waqf Act, and pledged to take such cases to court to safeguard farmers’ rights. “No injustice will be tolerated”, Surya added, emphasizing the party’s commitment to fighting for farmers’ ownership rights.
The growing influence of Abrahamic ideologies, coupled with an anti-Hindu agenda driven by radical Islamists, is becoming an increasingly alarming issue. The Waqf Board, supported by leftists and other anti-national elements, has started to assert claims over lands owned by ordinary citizens. This trend raises serious concerns for the future, as it poses a significant threat to the Hindu community in Bharat.
Recently, top officials informed a Parliamentary Panel that the Waqf Board has laid claim to over 240 government properties in Delhi. Also, the Modi government plans to introduce a bill to curtail the powers of Waqf Boards, preventing them from claiming properties that do not belong to them. While the BJP government seeks to protect government and private lands from unwarranted claims, Congress has stood in support of the Waqf Board, which has not only claimed government properties but has now started targeting lands owned by ordinary citizens and rural farmers. Such actions are highly condemnable, and the government must take strict measures to safeguard citizens’ rights and lands.
