The Maha Kumbh Mela, one of the world’s largest spiritual gatherings, set to begin in Prayagraj on January 13, 2025, has found itself at the center of a heated controversy. Ahead of the Kumbh Mela, Maulana Shahabuddin Razvi Barelvi, president of the All India Muslim Jamat, has claimed that 55 bighas of Waqf land are being utilized for the event, sparking outrage and sharp criticism from Hindu leaders and the public alike.

The Waqf claim

According to Barelvi, the land in question belongs to the Waqf Board and was generously made available by local Muslims to facilitate the Maha Kumbh. He described the gesture as an act of “large-heartedness” and urged Hindus to reciprocate by allowing Muslims to participate in the religious gathering.

However, the cleric’s assertions have been met with skepticism and resistance. Swami Chakrapani Maharaj, president of the Hindu Mahasabha, accused Barelvi of attempting to disrupt the event under a “malicious agenda” and called for an investigation into his motives. Chakrapani went as far as alleging a connection to foreign interests, demanding legal action against Barelvi for “spoiling the country’s atmosphere.”

Historical context vs. Religious claims

BJP leader Vijay Bahadur Pathak refuted the cleric’s claims, pointing out that the Maha Kumbh has been celebrated at the Sangam—the confluence of the Ganga, Yamuna, and mythical Saraswati—since time immemorial. “The Kumbh’s origins date back to Vedic times and the Puranic legend of the Samudra Manthan. To suggest that the land is Waqf property is both absurd and historically inaccurate,” he said.

Pathak further highlighted that over 800 hectares of land were reclaimed from the Ganga to accommodate the event, which spans approximately 4,000 hectares. He criticized Barelvi’s claim as an attempt to rewrite history and undermine the cultural significance of the Maha Kumbh.

The controversy escalated with Barelvi’s criticism of the All India Akhara Parishad’s earlier call to bar non-Hindus from the event. The Akhara Parishad, Naga Sadhus, and other Hindu religious leaders have expressed concerns over the participation of Muslims, citing past incidents of communal tensions. While this has drawn criticism from some quarters, many see it as a protective measure to maintain the sanctity of the Hindu religious gathering.

Adding fuel to the fire, Barelvi has written to Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath, urging him to prohibit any planned conversions of Muslims to Hinduism during the Maha Kumbh. The cleric claimed that such conversions would violate the state’s Unlawful Conversion of Religion Act, 2024, and could lead to unrest. However, critics have dismissed this as fear-mongering and a distraction from the broader issue of land ownership.

Barelvi’s statements have drawn attention to the broader issue of Waqf land claims and their implications for public and cultural spaces. Many Hindu leaders view these claims as part of a pattern of encroachment, raising questions about the management and auditing of Waqf properties across India.

A look at previous ridiculous and atrocious claims of Waqf Board

The Ministry of Minority Affairs recently revealed in Parliament that Tamil Nadu has the highest number of illegally occupied Waqf properties in India, with 734 out of 994 such cases nationwide. Other states with significant issues include Andhra Pradesh (152 properties), Punjab (63), Uttarakhand (11), and Jammu & Kashmir (10). These properties, managed by Waqf, are intended for religious, educational, and charitable purposes under the Waqf Act but have increasingly been subject to illegal occupation, creating governance challenges.

Tamil Nadu, particularly in urban areas, has seen widespread encroachments, while Andhra Pradesh and Punjab also report significant cases. In TN, entire villages have been claimed by the Waqf Board.

Though the issue is less pronounced in Uttarakhand and Jammu & Kashmir, it still highlights the need for better regulation of Waqf properties across India.

In addition to Waqf properties, the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) reported 250 encroachments on its sites by the Waqf Board, including prominent locations like Jama Masjid in Firozshah Kotla and the Chhoti Gumti Tomb in RK Puram. These encroachments on culturally significant sites have raised concerns about heritage preservation.

In the recent past, the Waqf Board has laid claim on 300 acres of land belonging to farmers in Latur.

In April 2024, Telangana State Wakf Board laid claim on Hotel Marriot in Hyderabad.

Delhi Waqf Board allegedly claimed DTC Bus Stand, DDA Office, MCD Garbage Dump, 4 lane road. It is alleged that UP Waqf Board has claims on 121000+ properties but no papers to substantiate most of the claims.

Waqf Board allegedly even sent a notice to the Indian Army Cantonment Authorities in Kannur, Kerala stating that the ground occupied by Indian Army belongs to WAQF.

In Kerala, the Waqf Board was in the news for claiming thousands of acres of land in Munambam. Originally leased by the King of Travancore in 1902, the land was transferred as a gift, not under the Waqf system, contradicting the Board’s assertions.

Key documents from 1950 and 1990 show the land was donated to Farooq College and later sold, not granted as Waqf property. Despite this evidence, the Waqf Protection Front continues to claim ownership. The case raises concerns about the legality of Waqf claims and calls for urgent reform in land management.

Additionally, the Board was claiming 600 acres in Thaliparamba town.

In November 2024, the Waqf Board claimed ownership of at least 53 historical monuments in Karnataka, including iconic sites like Gol Gumbaz, Ibrahim Rauza, and forts at Bidar and Kalaburagi. These claims, particularly involving 43 monuments in Vijaypura, were made in 2005 under Mohammad Mohsin, the Principal Secretary of Health and Family Welfare, using government documents. However, these monuments are protected by the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI), and under the Ancient Monuments and Archaeological Sites Remains Act, they cannot be transferred to another authority. The ASI reports that these monuments have been encroached upon and damaged, affecting tourism.

In January 2023, 57 acres of agricultural land cultivated by Hindu farmers for decades were unlawfully transferred to the Waqf Board. Following protests and legal intervention, BJP leader H. Raja successfully facilitated the recovery of the land earlier this year, restoring it to the farmers, who expressed gratitude for the support.

A property dispute involving the Tamil Nadu Waqf Board has left around 10,000 residents of Balasamudram Municipality, Dindigul district, unable to sell or mortgage ancestral lands. The Waqf Board claimed ownership in 2020, citing Survey Number 53/1A. Residents petitioned local authorities in May 2023, highlighting discrepancies in land records and seeking resolution. Despite the claim, the Registration Department allowed some transactions until March 2023, leading to allegations of negligence. The unresolved issue mirrors the Thiruchendurai dispute, leaving the community in limbo and demanding action to address inconsistencies and ensure fair land registration processes.

In August 2024, Tamil Nadu Waqf Board President Abdul Rahman addressed claims regarding Hindu temples on Waqf properties, including the Peyazhwar Temple on land owned by the Kutchery Road Mosque. He clarified that the Waqf Board respects such temples, viewing them as pride, and has never interfered with worship. Rahman emphasized that lands managed by the Waqf Board, often donated during the British era, are for public benefit.

In August 2024, the Bihar Sunni Waqf Board claimed ownership of Govindpur village land, predominantly occupied by Hindus, and issued eviction notices to seven residents. The villagers, asserting ancestral ownership since 1910, petitioned the Patna High Court, challenging the Waqf Board’s claim and seeking protection against eviction.

The Waqf Board, with its unchecked powers, has been accused of land grabbing, illegal encroachment, and the misuse of resources for political gain. These actions have not only created division within religious communities but have also fueled resentment among those who feel their property rights have been violated. These issues have highlighted the need for greater transparency and accountability in the management of Waqf properties. The system, as it stands, is ripe for exploitation, and its current form is causing harm to both Hindus and Muslims alike.

In Tamil Nadu, over 1000 Muslims protested against the Waqf Board in Perambalur where the residents had been banned from registering their properties.

The latest update from the atrocious Waqf Board claim after claiming the Prayagraj site is historical sites in Srirangapatna.

In Srirangapatna, over 70 properties, including government-owned land, historical monuments, and structures under the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI), were suddenly listed as Karnataka State Waqf Board properties in the official land records (RTC). This includes significant sites such as the Tipu Armoury, the Obelisk monument (Siege Monument), the Department of Archaeology building, and several agricultural lands. The inclusion of these properties, which were previously under government or archaeological control, has sparked public concern, particularly among farmers who now face the possibility of their lands being claimed by the Waqf Board. The changes were made following a 2014-2015 government notification, but many landowners remain unaware of the reclassification, leading to fears of further encroachments.