HYDERABAD: In a shocking move that has left thousands of residents fuming, the Waqf Board’s recent claims to 750 acres of land in Malkajgiri of Medchal Malkajigiri District in Telangana, have triggered a fierce backlash. The Registration Department’s decision to suspend the buying and selling of properties across more than 100 survey numbers has sent ripples of anxiety throughout the community, igniting fears of a systematic land grab.
Residents were blindsided when the news emerged that Malkajgiri Sub-Registrar, Srikanth, announced that these lands had been designated as Waqf property. This declaration was made under orders from the State Registration and Stamps Department, which has been accused of acting without transparency or consultation. “This is nothing short of a draconian act,” asserted local resident Ramesh. “The Waqf Board is trying to snatch away our hard-earned properties without any valid justification.” 
Malkajgiri is a suburb of Hyderabad and it is the largest Lok Sabha constituency in the country. Currently, it is being represented by BJP MP Eatala Rajender.
On August 27, the Commissioner and Inspector General of Registration and Stamps instructed the Office of the District Registrar in Malkajgiri to include the specified lands in the Prohibited List.
Frustration among residents is palpable. Many are questioning the legality of the Waqf Board’s claims, which they argue come decades after they purchased these lands. “How can they suddenly declare our homes as Waqf land? This feels like a cruel joke,” exclaimed Phani, a resident of East Kakatiya Nagar. “We’ve invested our lives in these homes, and now they want to take it all away without any explanation.”
The Waqf Board, backed by a letter sent to the Collector of Medchal Malkajgiri, identified multiple survey numbers to be included on the prohibited list. The implications of this move are dire; residents fear not only the loss of their properties but also the erosion of their rights. “This is a blatant attempt to dispossess us under the guise of Waqf claims. It’s an assault on our community,” warned Raghavendra, a Malkajgiri resident.
The areas of Moulali, RTC Colony, Shafee Nagar, Tirumala Nagar, Bharat Nagar, NBH Colony, East Kakatiya Nagar, Old Safilguda, New Vidyanagar, Ram Brahma Nagar, Sri Krishna Nagar, and Sitarama Nagar, among others, fall within the 750 acres claimed by the Waqf Board.
Local leaders are stepping up, rallying residents to take a stand against what they describe as an unjust land grab. “We will not allow this to happen. Our voices will be heard, and we will fight back,” said Cyanam Rajyalakshami, local municipal corporator while speaking to ‘Organiser’. The anger is not just limited to individuals; entire neighbourhoods, including Moulali, RTC Colony, and Old Safilguda, are joining forces to oppose the Waqf Board’s claims.
Dr Ravinuthala Shashidhar, national spokesperson of VHP speaking with Organiser said, “We strongly condemn the Telangana State Registration Department’s decision to classify registrations related to 750 acres of land across more than a hundred survey numbers in the Malkajgiri Circle as prohibited, based on the Waqf Board’s letter. This decision has compelled the Malkajgiri Sub-Registrar’s office to suspend the buying and selling of properties concerning these lands, causing immense distress to thousands of Hindu families.”
The situation in Malkajgiri serves as a stark reminder of the potential for abuse of power when land rights are threatened. Residents are calling for a thorough investigation into the legality of the Waqf claims and are prepared to challenge the authorities at every level.
With the stakes higher than ever, the Malkajgiri residents stands united in their resolve to protect their homes from what they see as a blatant and draconian overreach by the Waqf Board.
Across Bharat, the Waqf Board’s aggressive land claims have sparked widespread controversy and resentment. In Tamil Nadu and Karnataka, residents are protesting against the Board’s attempts to seize private properties, citing lack of transparency and legal validity. Similarly, in Telangana, Uttar Pradesh, Himachal Pradesh, and Delhi, communities are rising against perceived encroachments on their rights, accusing the Waqf Board of exploiting religious provisions to expand its control.
