Waqf properties in Bharat have been a contentious issue, often raising concerns about land encroachment, selective legal favoritism, and demographic imbalance. While Waqf institutions claim vast stretches of land under religious pretexts, their unchecked expansion frequently results in illegal encroachments on government and private properties. This poses a significant challenge to the fundamental rights of other communities, particularly Hindus.
One such recent case has surfaced in Malkajgiri, Secunderabad, Telangana, where an illegal construction of a mosque on railway land has been identified. Legal Rights Protection Forum (LRPF), a prominent legal advocacy group fighting for constitutional rights and legal integrity, has taken decisive action against this unlawful activity.
Illegal Waqf encroachment on Railway land in Malkajgiri
LRPF has brought to the notice of the South Central Railway (SCR) authorities that a portion of railway land at Bala Saraswathi Nagar, near Malkajgiri Police Station, has been illegally occupied by unidentified individuals who have begun constructing mosque without any authorization.

Such encroachments are not isolated incidents but are part of a larger pattern of land grabbing under the banner of Waqf. Hindu organizations and legal activists have long raised concerns about how Waqf Boards, operating with state backing, often claim land without accountability, while Hindu temples and religious institutions struggle against bureaucratic red tape and government control.

This unauthorized construction is in clear violation of multiple laws designed to protect public property from illegal encroachments. The Public Premises (Eviction of Unauthorized Occupants) Act, 1971, mandates the eviction of unauthorized occupants from government land, ensuring that public spaces are not unlawfully occupied. Additionally, the Bharatiya Railways Act, 1989, strictly prohibits any illegal occupation of railway property, reinforcing the need to safeguard critical infrastructure from encroachments. Furthermore, the Prevention of Damage to Public Property Act, 1984, criminalizes unauthorized occupation and construction on public land, making such activities a punishable offense.
LRPF’s formal action
To counter this unlawful activity, LRPF has formally written to the Additional General Manager (AGM) and Secretary of Public Grievances, South Central Railway (SCR), demanding urgent intervention. The organization has called for the immediate eviction of encroachers under the provisions of the Public Premises Act, ensuring that unauthorized occupants are removed without delay. Additionally, LRPF has urged authorities to demolish any illegal structures that have already been erected on railway property, preventing their further expansion. To safeguard public land from future encroachments, the forum has also emphasized the necessity of strict monitoring mechanisms, ensuring that such unlawful constructions do not recur and that government property remains protected.
Systematic encroachments by WAQF
Systematic encroachments by Waqf Boards are not isolated incidents but part of a larger issue across Bharat, where Waqf institutions aggressively claim land, often without verification or accountability, while Hindu religious establishments face severe restrictions and governmental control. Unlike Waqf properties, which remain under the exclusive control of religious bodies with extensive legal protection, Hindu temples are subjected to government intervention, with revenue departments managing their lands and funds. This stark contrast in treatment has fueled concerns about land ownership disparities and institutional bias. Currently, Waqf Boards in Bharat control over 6 lakh acres of land, making them one of the largest landowners in the country. Despite repeated complaints, illegal encroachments by Waqf institutions often receive political and legal backing, whereas Hindu properties either face bureaucratic hurdles or are outright ignored by the administration.
The Malkajgiri case is a glaring example of this unchecked land grabbing under the guise of Waqf expansion. The intervention by LRPF has ensured that this issue is brought to the attention of the highest authorities, compelling South Central Railway to take necessary legal action. However, this incident highlights the urgent need for policy reforms to prevent public land from being illegally occupied, to uphold secular governance, and to ensure that no community is given undue privileges in land ownership disputes. Bharat’s constitutional framework demands fairness and legality, and no religious body should be allowed to misuse its provisions for unlawful encroachments. The proactive steps taken by LRPF serve as a model for legal activism, ensuring that illegal constructions do not go unchecked and that public property remains safeguarded.
However, this is not an isolated incident. A few months ago in Karnataka, Waqf Boards attempted to claim public properties, ASI monuments, and even agricultural lands, triggering widespread protests across the state. This incident exposed the anti-Hindu and pro-Islamic agenda of the Karnataka Congress government, which has been systematically enabling such encroachments.
Similar cases are now emerging across Bharat, raising serious concerns about the unchecked powers of Waqf institutions and their impact on public and private land ownership. Recognizing the gravity of the situation, the BJP-led Central Government is working on a bill to curb illegal Waqf claims, which is a much-needed step at this critical juncture. The LRPF’s legal activism serves as a crucial model in countering such encroachments, ensuring that illegal constructions do not go unchecked and public properties remain safeguarded for rightful use.