Waqf Board Claims Mahakumbh Land Amidst Entry Dispute
The Mahakumbh Mela 2025 in Prayagraj, a grand religious gathering celebrated by Hindus worldwide, has become controversial. The Waqf Board has now staked a claim on 54 bighas of land where the event is being organized, alleging that it is Waqf property.
🚨 SHOCKING! Waqf Board now claims land on Mahakumbh Mela.
Board claims 54 Bigha land of Mela as Waqf property.
Time has come to ABOLISH all Waqf-related bodies. pic.twitter.com/GKRvUxAu7r
— Megh Updates 🚨™ (@MeghUpdates) January 5, 2025
Maulana Shahabuddin Rajavi, National President of the All India Muslim Jamaat, added fuel to the fire by claiming that the entire Mahakumbh is being held on Waqf land. He stated that Muslims have shown “a big heart” by not objecting, while criticizing Hindu monks for opposing Muslim entry into the fair.
The Dispute Over Muslim Entry
The controversy began on November 4, 2024, when the Akhara Parishad passed a resolution allowing only Hindus to enter the Mahakumbh Mela. They argued that elements hostile to the festival could misuse entry permissions by masking their identity.
This decision led to outrage among certain Muslim groups, who demanded access to the event. However, questions have arisen about why Muslims seek entry into a Hindu religious event when their own practices forbid non-Muslims from entering holy sites like Mecca.
Valid Questions Need Answers
The Mahakumbh controversy raises critical questions about fairness, respect, and intent. If Hindus are categorically barred from entering Mecca and Medina—places considered sacred to Islam—on the grounds of religious exclusivity, why then is there a demand for Muslims to participate in Mahakumbh, a deeply Hindu religious event? This double standard invites scrutiny.
Furthermore, the participation of Muslims in Mahakumbh raises another question: Why would those who often label Hindus as “idol worshipers,” a term used derogatorily in many contexts, seek to attend and engage in a festival centered around this very practice? Such actions could be seen as contradictory or even provocative.
Another valid question arises: What exactly do Muslims seek access to Mahakumbh for? Mahakumbh is a sacred Hindu event steeped in cultural and spiritual significance, with rituals and traditions that often do not align with Islamic practices. If not for religious participation, what is the intent behind seeking access? Is it mere curiosity, or does it serve another agenda?
Lastly, the sudden claim by the Waqf Board that the land on which Mahakumbh is organized belongs to them raises eyebrows. If this land was genuinely Waqf property, why was no claim made in the past during earlier Mahakumbh events? The timing of the claim—amid debates over Muslim entry and heightened security concerns—seems suspect. It underscores a pattern of opportunistic land grabs under the guise of Waqf authority.
These questions demand honest and transparent answers, as they touch upon broader issues of cultural respect, legal integrity, and the need to prevent misuse of religious authority for ulterior motives.
Waqf, Expanding Claims: A Never-Ending Saga
The Waqf Board’s claim on the Mahakumbh land has sparked outrage, with many viewing it as yet another example of Waqf’s audacity to claim anything and everything. From temples and farms to villages and even India’s Parliament building, the Waqf Board’s ever-expanding claims have raised serious concerns.
Waqf Board now claims land on Mahakumbh Mela. Board claims Mahakumbh is being performed on Waqf property.
They are claiming our temples
They are claiming our farms
They are claiming our villages
They are claiming our parliamentTime has come to ABOLISH all Waqf-related bodies. pic.twitter.com/KGKS7cpW0f
— Baba Banaras™ (@RealBababanaras) January 5, 2025
Critics argue that if unchecked, Waqf might even claim celestial bodies like the Moon as their property. The growing brazenness of such claims has led to widespread calls for the abolition of Waqf-related bodies and the repeal of laws that grant them excessive and often unchecked authority.
Abolishing Waqf Laws
This incident shows the urgent need to repeal outdated Waqf laws that allow for baseless claims over properties, often bypassing legal and cultural norms. The system, critics argue, is inherently flawed and has become a tool for land grabs under the guise of religious authority.
Many believe that abolishing the Waqf system is essential to preserving India’s cultural heritage and preventing the misuse of religious institutions for political or economic gain.
“If this continues, no property in India will remain safe from Waqf claims.” The time has come for decisive action to repeal Waqf laws and safeguard India’s cultural and religious integrity. Only then can such disputes be resolved, and the nation move forward with fairness and respect for all.