Dispute Over Waqf Board’s Land Claims in Uttar Pradesh
The Uttar Pradesh government has informed the Joint Parliamentary Committee (JPC) that 78 per cent of the land claimed by the Uttar Pradesh Waqf Board does not legally belong to it but is, in fact, government property. This significant revelation was made during the JPC’s field visit meeting held in Lucknow, marking the final leg of discussions related to the Waqf (Amendment) Bill.
The meeting, chaired by JPC chief and Member of Parliament Jagdambika Pal, saw participation from various stakeholders, including representatives from the Shia and Sunni Waqf Boards, the Minority Commission, and state officials. The discussions were centred around the contentious claims of the Waqf Board over vast tracts of land in Uttar Pradesh.
Monika Garg, the Additional Chief Secretary of the Minority Welfare Commission of Uttar Pradesh, provided critical details during the meeting. She informed the committee that the Waqf Board asserts ownership over 14,000 hectares of land in the state. However, official records indicate that 11,700 hectares of this land are classified as government property. This discrepancy highlights a significant issue with the claims being made by the Waqf Board.
The Uttar Pradesh government clarified that land classifications in revenue records play a crucial role in determining ownership. Many of the properties claimed by the Waqf Board are registered under Class 5 and Class 6 in the revenue records—categories reserved for government and Gram Sabha lands.
Furthermore, the Sachar Committee report, a study on the socio-economic status of Muslims in India, had earlier flagged similar concerns. It stated that around 60 properties claimed by the Waqf Board were actually government-owned, further supporting the state’s contention.
The Waqf Board in Uttar Pradesh has laid claim to over 1.3 lakh properties across the state, including several high-profile locations. These disputed properties include: Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) monuments, Balrampur Government Hospital, Lands owned by the Lucknow Development Authority (LDA), and Properties allocated to the state’s Residential Development Department.
The UP government pointed out that some properties claimed by the Waqf Board were officially allocated to government departments by city municipalities, rendering the Board’s claims invalid.
The Uttar Pradesh government outlined the existing rules for identifying Waqf properties. When the Waqf Board stakes a claim on any land, the ownership records are tallied against historical records from 1952. If the claim is validated, the Waqf Board can request the government to remove encroachments on the land. This process ensures a clear demarcation of rightful ownership.
During the meeting, it was revealed that the Waqf Board has been wrongfully asserting ownership over some of Uttar Pradesh’s iconic monuments. These include: Bada Imambara and Chhota Imambara in Lucknow, The Begum ka Maqbara in Ayodhya.
The state government clarified that these protected monuments are government properties and not under the purview of the Waqf Board.
MP Jagdambika Pal emphasised the importance of reaching a consensus on the issue. “The JPC has been holding meetings across the country for the past six months. Our aim is to present a comprehensive report. Although we planned to table it in the winter session, the timeline has been extended, and we are now set to present it in the upcoming budget session,” Pal said. The committee’s report is expected to be submitted on January 31.
The Waqf Act of 1995, enacted to regulate Waqf properties, has faced criticism over the years for issues such as mismanagement, corruption, and unauthorised encroachments. The ongoing discussions highlight the need for reforms in the act to address these challenges effectively.
The Parliament’s budget session, during which the JPC report will be tabled, is scheduled to begin on January 31 and continue until April 4. The Union Budget will be presented on February 1.
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