Paromita Das
GG News Bureau
New Delhi, 11th June. The extent of Waqf’s dominance in the nation is no secret these days. Over eight lakh fifty-four thousand properties, spanning over eight lakh acres of land, are owned collectively by all of the nation’s Waqf boards, according to the Waqf Management System of India. After the Indian Army and the Railways, this is the largest land area. The most significant aspect of this is that, over the past 15 years, the quantity of Waqf land has more than doubled. Corruption pertaining to Waqf lands is also becoming more visible, and disputes are multiplying.
The most recent Waqf property case has surfaced from Ujjain, Madhya Pradesh. Given this, the Mohan administration of Madhya Pradesh is planning to investigate all of its properties in a manner similar to that of the government of Uttar Pradesh.
In reality, when the episode was connected to Chief Minister Dr. Mohan Yadav’s hometown, it all gained significance. When Riyaz Khan was the Waqf Board Chairman, he was in control of the Waqf property in Ujjain. The Waqf Board sent him a notice for Rs 7 crore 11 lakh. Here, it is shown that only one individual, Riyaz Khan, held the office of President for 26 years in a row.
The preceding data demonstrate the size of the property he was managing alone: the Waqf Dargah, Saad Masjid, and Madar Shah Sahib graveyard are connected to 115 stores. Two school buildings and five large offices can also be accommodated. This asset is valued many crores in total. Riyaz Khan was unable to provide an account for this property when the Waqf Board requested one. The rules state that the money received from Waqf properties is intended to assist the underprivileged and destitute. In contrast, the aforementioned property was used in this case as a source of revenue and was also used for personal expenses. The Madhya Pradesh Waqf Board has requested an account of their income and expenses over a 17-year period, spanning from 2006–07 to 22–23. However, the previous chairman was unable to provide an explanation. As a result, the Madhya Pradesh Waqf Board has already sent Khan a notice and begun the process of collecting Rs 7 crore 11 lakh. In the course of the State Waqf Board’s investigation, it was discovered that Riyaz Khan had, as part of the development plans for Waqf assets, erected shops, school buildings, and large offices on the property of the Dargah, mosque, and graveyard at Madar Gate for rent.
However, it was thought inappropriate to provide the government with this information. The Chairman has been absorbing the monthly income of thousands of rupees from all these built properties for the past few years without even telling the Madhya Pradesh Waqf Board about it.
The board initially intended to speak with Riyaz Khan about this, but he did not respond appropriately. Then, during the investigation into Khan’s 26-year rule, a significant amount of corruption was discovered. Subsequently, the board sent a notice to former president Riyaz Khan, to which he did not think it appropriate to respond. Now, the board management has given Khan one final opportunity to voice his opinions and has sent him another notice, requiring him to provide evidence for each question within seven days. The board will take independent action if the response is not received in a timely manner—seven days.
Similar incidents with powerful Muslims gaining control of Waqf properties, collecting rent, and frequently operating their businesses unlawfully are also emerging from other state districts. The fact that even the government cannot directly interfere since it is Waqf property is being fully used by these prominent and influential Muslims. The state of Burhanpur is reporting a large number of these instances. Numerous powerful individuals are occupying Waqf Board properties illegally. Following Mohammad Farooq’s recent appointment to the position of District President of the Waqf Board Burhanpur, some startling revelations regarding the board’s holdings were made public. On which he stated that individuals utilizing the property at a reduced rent will have their tenancy recouped. Many properties have illegal encroachment. In this case, profit is extracted by paying a small rent on pricey properties. Furthermore, Waqf has been transformed from Khasra into private property by manipulating its rules. Plots have been auctioned and numerous colonies have been established there.
Numerous Waqf cases are associated with disputes in Sagar, the state capital Bhopal, Indore, Jabalpur, and Gwalior. For misusing Waqf property in Bina of Sagar, an RRC (Revenue Recovery Certificate) for Rs 1 crore 84 lakh has been granted. Investigations have also revealed financial irregularities in the Masjid Committee of Bhopal worth thousands of rupees. According to the Madhya Pradesh Waqf Board website, a waqf property is a part of one’s wealth that is voluntarily, permanently, and irrevocably dedicated to Allah or to another person. A Waqf cannot be given, inherited, or sold after it is established. It is Allah’s property, and the Waqf money never runs out.
The Madhya Pradesh Waqf Board has advised on initiating a special probe for the property that it oversees in this regard. The chairman of the Madhya Pradesh Waqf Board, Sanwar Patel, says that the state’s Waqf properties are being examined, and that if any anomalies are discovered, a notification is being sent out asking for clarification. In accordance with the Board’s Act, people who steal Waqf property shall face consequences.
Currently, it is observed all over the nation, especially in Madhya Pradesh, that the Waqf Board claims ownership of the surrounding land whenever it erects a fence around a cemetery. New mosques and illicit tombs are also proliferating. The Waqf Act of 1995, which states that it is the Waqf Board’s duty to provide proof if it believes any land is Waqf property, aids in the Waqf Board’s acquisition of these graves and the surrounding properties.
Instead, the land truly belongs to the owner, who will have to demonstrate in front of the Waqf Tribunal that the land in question is his.
In addition to the Waqf land increasing by more than double in the last fifteen years as a result of its claims to numerous public and private properties, the majority of these properties are being appropriated by certain Muslims for their own gain. These lands are dedicated to Allah. Additionally, the government is being conned out of billions of rupees. There have been numerous instances across the nation up to this point where Waqf has occupied villages under its name. In this instance, the Waqf Board is attempting to assert ownership over a temple that dates back more than 1500 years, located in a Tamil Nadu community. Afterwards, non-Muslims were asked to convert to Islam in order to settle the dispute.
There is a lot of news about this that is visible on media platforms right now. The hallmarks of Waqf life are found throughout the nation in most places: disagreements over the majority of the Waqf properties, abuse by powerful individuals, extreme corruption, irregularities, occupancy of land in the name of the Waqf, and coercing or seducing non-Muslims into accepting Islam.
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