The inhabitants of the village of Kaatollai in the vellore district Tamil raised concerns about the announcement of the authorities that submit the local mosque-dargah and declare their land for the WAQF assets.
The WAQF real estate announcement reportedly requires that residents either pay rent or release the land, leading to extensive anxiety among approximately 150 families who lived in a village of three to four generations.
The villagers asked the collectors of the district district of the Vellore VR Subbubulaxmi and were looking for intervention and justice. The inhabitants of the village of Kaatollai pod Anaikattu Union (Velore district) near Virinichipuram said there were about 3-4 generations living in the village and now suddenly received notifications.
However, officials did not respond to calls for comments and the content of the notification could not be independently verified.
Murshidabad violence over the WAQF law
In the district of Murshidabad in West Bengal, violent clashes broke out between the protesters and the police from 8 to 13 April, so the three dead and ten were injured. Demonstrators blocked the national highway 12, vandalized vehicles and disrupted train services at the Nimtita railway station.
Violence also escalated attacks on private residences and MPs Trinamool Congress Khalilur Rahman. More than 200 arrests have been carried out as authorities imposed section 144 and suspended Internet services to restore the order.
What is an act of waqf?
The WAQF law regulates the WAQF real estate management – delivery for religious or charity purposes under Islamic Law. The recent amendment has triggered controversy by expanding government supervision and redefining the classification of real estate, which critics claim to violate the autonomy of community.
The provisions, which allow the authorities to announce the land as WAQF assets without previous consultations, led to extensive protests, especially in regions controlled by minorities.
While supporters argue that the change ensures better WAQF asset management, detectors consider it an overlap that risks alienation of the disabled communities. Critics say that the amended law centralizes control of WAQF real estate, leading to disputes on land ownership and minority rights.
(Tagstotranslate) waqf
