India’s Waqf Land Controversy: From Temples to Parliament

In a shocking turn of events, AIUDF Chief Badruddin Ajmal recently claimed that India’s Parliament and surrounding areas were built on Waqf land. This audacious claim highlights the growing issue of baseless land grabs under the Waqf Act. While this isn’t the first time Waqf authorities have made outlandish claims, the Parliament controversy takes their unchecked power to a new level.

#WATCH | Guwahati, Assam: On JPC on Waqf Bill, AIUDF Chief Badruddin Ajmal says, "…There are voices and a list of Waqf properties across the world is out – the Parliament building, surrounding areas, areas around Vasant Vihar up to the airport have been built on Waqf property.… pic.twitter.com/sh0T1Tx6Nw

— ANI (@ANI) October 16, 2024

Waqf boards have long exploited loopholes in the current legal framework, allowing them to claim any land they desire without proper proof of ownership. Under the Waqf Act, they do not need to provide evidence, nor are they required to notify current landowners before making a claim.

What’s more concerning is that if a landowner disputes the claim, they cannot take the matter to court. Instead, they must appeal directly to the Waqf board itself, a body that often dismisses such appeals without a fair hearing. This corrupt system has allowed the Waqf board to claim ancient sites, including temples predating the arrival of Islam in India.

Exploiting Legal Loopholes

The Waqf Act, as it stands today, enables the Waqf board to file claims without proper documentation, accountability, or oversight. This law has led to a surge in questionable claims, ranging from private properties to historic landmarks.

The most absurd example is a claim over a 1,500-year-old temple, a structure that predates the introduction of Islam in India. Yet, because of the Act’s loopholes, such claims go unchecked.

Ajmal’s latest assertion that the Parliament and areas like Vasant Vihar are built on Waqf land further underscores the need for immediate legal reform. It’s not just a matter of absurdity but of a total disregard for the law and lack of accountability. Such claims create public confusion and erode trust in the nation’s institutions.

A Call for the Waqf Amendment Bill

The need for the Waqf’s Amendment Bill has never been more urgent. The bill seeks to curb the overreach of the Waqf board and restore a fair legal process for land disputes. Without it, baseless claims like Ajmal’s will continue to disrupt property ownership across the country. Parliament, a symbol of democracy, should not be subjected to such blatant misuse of legal loopholes.

The proposed amendments to the Waqf Act will bring much-needed transparency and accountability. By mandating that all claims require solid proof and ensuring that disputes can be settled in courts of law, the bill will protect both public and private landowners. Additionally, it will prevent the Waqf board from operating as both a claimant and judge in land disputes, eliminating the conflict of interest currently present in the system.

Baseless Claims Continue Unchecked

The Waqf board’s actions extend beyond Parliament and historic temples. Numerous individuals and organizations have found themselves fighting to retain land that has belonged to them for decades, only to face sudden claims from the Waqf.

These claims are often accompanied by little to no evidence, leaving property owners powerless to defend their rights. In many cases, even when landowners provide proof of ownership, their claims are dismissed by the Waqf board.

By bringing the Waqf’s unchecked claims to light, Ajmal’s statement has inadvertently highlighted the extent of the problem. It is not just about this one instance but about a larger pattern of land grabs that have gone unchallenged for far too long. The time has come for serious legal reforms to prevent further misuse of the law.

Protecting National Landmarks

Allowing the Waqf board to claim land as significant as India’s Parliament sets a dangerous precedent. If the Waqf’s can claim the nation’s most prominent political institution without proof, no land is safe from similar assertions. This opens the door for further claims on national heritage sites, landmarks, and private properties across India.

India’s legal system must step in to stop this growing problem. The Waqf’s Amendment Bill is the first step in ensuring that false claims are no longer tolerated. Reform is essential not only to protect individual property rights but also to safeguard the integrity of the nation’s legal and political institutions.