From Lutyens’ Property To Devbhoomi Dwarka- The Wild Claims Of India’s Third Largest Landowner News24 –

Over the years, Waqf Boards have claimed many properties across India, from important buildings in Delhi to a whole village in Tamil Nadu.

When the Waqf (Amendment) Bill, 2024, was presented in the Lok Sabha on Wednesday, Parliament Affairs Minister Kiren Rijiju said that the Parliament building we are in might have been claimed as Waqf property if Prime Minister Narendra Modi had not come to power.

Kiren Rijiju Discusses Waqf Bill and Property Claims

While introducing the Waqf Bill in the Lok Sabha, Kiren Rijiju explained that a court case dating back to 1970 in Delhi involved several properties, including the CGO Complex and the Parliament building. The Delhi Waqf Board had claimed these properties as Waqf property.

Rijiju added that during the UPA government’s time, 123 properties were “denotified” and given to the Waqf Board. He said that if the current government hadn’t introduced the new Waqf amendment, even the Parliament building we are in could have been claimed as Waqf property. He emphasized that if the Modi government hadn’t come into power, many more properties would have been given to the Waqf Board.

What is Waqf (Amendment) Bill, 2025?

The bill seeks to amend the Act of 1995. The Bill seeks to improve the administration and management of waqf properties in India. It aims to overcome the shortcomings of the previous act and enhance the efficiency of Waqf boards, improving the registration process and increasing the role of technology in managing waqf records.

Waqf- Third Largest landowner in India

Waqf Boards across India currently manage 8.7 lakh properties, which cover 9.4 lakh acres of land. These properties are estimated to be worth around Rs 1.2 lakh crore. India has the largest Waqf property holdings in the world. In fact, the Waqf Boards are the third-largest landowners in the country, after the Indian Armed Forces and Indian Railways. There are 30 Waqf Boards in total.

Out of the 8.7 lakh Waqf properties, 356,051 are registered as Waqf estates, 872,328 are land properties (immovable), and 16,713 are movable properties, according to a report by Business Today.

In the Delhi, over 200 properties, which were managed by two central government agencies, were declared as Waqf properties. According to top government officials, 108 of these properties were controlled by the land and development office (L&DO), while 138 were managed by the Delhi Development Authority (DDA).

Here are some of the key properties claimed by the Waqf Boards:

• Humayun’s Tomb: In 2010, the Delhi Waqf Board claimed that Humayun’s Tomb was Waqf property, saying it was one of over 150 heritage sites that were under the control of the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) without permission.
• Mughal Mosque in Qutub Minar Complex: The Delhi Waqf Board asked for permission to offer prayers at the Mughal Mosque within the Qutub Minar complex, claiming that it had historical importance.
• 123 Properties in Lutyens’ Delhi: In 2014, the UPA government handed over 123 properties in Lutyens’ Delhi to the Delhi Waqf Board. This decision was later reviewed, and in 2018, the NDA government formed a committee to look into the ownership claims.
• Maha Kumbh Land in Prayagraj: In January 2025, local Muslim groups in Prayagraj said that the land where the Maha Kumbh Mela is held belonged to the Waqf Board, creating controversy.
• Government Properties in Uttar Pradesh: The Uttar Pradesh government found that 78% of the land claimed by the Waqf Board in the state actually belonged to the government, suggesting that the Waqf Board may have overstepped its claims.
• Thiruchenthurai Village in Tamil Nadu: A farmer named Rajagopal in Thiruchenthurai village couldn’t sell his land to pay off a loan because the Waqf Board claimed the whole village. To sell the land, he needed a no-objection certificate (NOC) from the Board, causing him both financial and emotional stress.
• Municipal Corporation Building in Surat: The Waqf Board in Surat claimed the Municipal Corporation building, saying it had been a sarai (rest house) for pilgrims during the Mughal period. Even though the building had been under British control and later passed to the Indian government, the Board said it still belonged to the Waqf because the ownership wasn’t officially updated. They argued, “Once a Waqf, always a Waqf.”
• Land in Munambam, Kerala: The Waqf Board claimed around 400 acres of land in Munambam, Ernakulam district, which had been owned by Christian residents for generations. This led to protests from the local community.
• Eidgah Ground in Bengaluru: The Waqf Board claimed that the Eidgah ground in Bengaluru was Waqf property, saying its status went back to the 1850s. However, government records showed that the property had never been officially transferred to any Muslim organization. The Waqf Board insisted that it was still Waqf land.
• Two Islands in Bet Dwarka, Gujarat: The Waqf Board tried to claim two islands in Bet Dwarka as its property. The Gujarat High Court found the claim confusing and asked the Board to revise its petition. The court questioned how the Waqf could claim land in “Krishnanagri.”

These claims have sparked debates and controversies across India.