In January this year, local authorities in Ujjain, Madhya Pradesh, India, demolished nearly 250 structures, including a centuries-old mosque, covering at least 2.1 hectares (5 acres 27 decimals) of land. The demolished structures were under the Madhya Pradesh Waqf Board.
Ujjain's waqf property has been razed to make way for the so-called Mahakal Corridor, a $1 billion project that will surround the city's famous Mahakaleshwar temple.
India is home to 200 million Muslims. This vast Muslim population in the country donated over 872,000 waqf properties, covering 405,000 hectares or 1 million acres, the largest in the world. These properties are managed by waqf boards in each state and union territory. These Waqf Boards collectively own the largest share of urban land in India. They are second only to the Indian military and Indian railways in land ownership across the country.
The Indian parliament began discussions on Wednesday 2 April on reforms to the country's existing waqf law. The bill, proposed by Prime Minister Narendra Modi's Hindutva Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), would give the government unfettered control over waqf properties. After hours of heated debate between the government and opposition, the Waqf Amendment Bill was passed in Lok Sabha on Wednesday late night. The Bill got 288 votes in favour while 232 voted against the Bill.
The proposed legislation, which will be tabled in Rajya Sabha later today, aims to amend the 1995 law governing Waqf properties.
Muslim organizations have alleged that the Modi government is taking this step to pressure the country's minority community using its majority in parliament.
"This will be the beginning of the encroachment of mosque and dargah property. History will not forgive us for this."New Delhi's Aam Aadmi Party MP Sanjay Singh said
Madhya Pradesh, India's second largest state by area, has been under BJP rule for the past 22 years. Since Ujjain-based BJP politician Mohan Yadav took charge as the state's chief minister in December 2023, preparations for the 2028 Hindu Kumbh Pilgrimage festival have begun. The festival is held every 12 years on the banks of the Shipra river near Ujjain. The demolition of the waqf property around the Mahakaleshwar temple is being seen as part of the government's land acquisition for the Kumbh pilgrimage. Hundred thousands of devotees are expected to attend the festival.
In the Ujjain incident, Modi critics allege that by reforming alleged waqf law, the authorities ignored a 1985 government document that designated the property as a waqf. However, the property has also been illegally occupied over the years through political influence. As a result, it was declared a residential property and the entire structure on the land was demolished last January.
The government's acquisition documents also identified it as a waqf property. It was also recommended to obtain a 'no objection certificate' from the waqf board for its acquisition. But later, the Ujjain district administration issued an order that no objection certificate would be required for acquiring any land for 'social interest'.
"I will follow whatever the party orders. Because I am here because of the party."Madhya Pradesh Waqf Board Chairman and BJP leader Sanawar Patil said
According to India's Waqf Act of 1954, waqf properties were previously managed by the country's Muslims through the Waqf Board with the help of the government. But Narendra Modi's new draft bill to reform the Waqf Act recommends at least 14 amendments to the old law, including a recommendation to include non-Muslims among the members of the Waqf Board.