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Waqf Amendment Bill: Concern grows among Hindus over Waqf board’s claims to property – DNA explained | India News

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Waqf Amendment Bill: Concern grows among Hindus over Waqf board’s claims to property – DNA explained | India News

Following the passage of the Waqf Amendment Bill, a sense of fear has settled among Hindus. The main concern is the possibility that the Waqf Board may lay claim to their houses, temples and agricultural lands. In today’s episode of DNA, Zee News briefly explains this question.

Watch the episode here

Tension in Kadakol village in Karnataka over Wakf property claims

In Kadakol village of Karnataka’s Haveri district, a rumor has spread that local temples and Hindu sites have been identified as waqf sites. Villagers feared that their temples and lands might soon be handed over to the Waqf Board, causing anxiety and communal tension.

Worried about the possibility of the Waqf Board taking over their property, the Hindu community expressed anger and unrest spread in the village.

Hindu protests turn violent

Videos have appeared on social media showing angry villagers destroying Muslim houses in protest. Reports indicate that clashes broke out between Hindu and Muslim residents in Kadakol after Hindus received news that the Wakf Board may soon take over their temples and houses.

The conflict reportedly began when some Muslims from the village filed a petition seeking recognition of the Hanuman Temple and Durga Temple premises as waqf property.

The petition also demanded that the lands around these temples be brought under the jurisdiction of the Waqf Board. Following this petition, the Zilla Panchayat allegedly started marking two temples and several houses belonging to Hindus as waqf property.

As soon as news of this identification reached the Hindu villagers, they were alarmed at the thought of losing their homes and temples. In response, some villagers resorted to stone-throwing at Muslim houses, leading to increased security and the arrest of about 32 people, mostly Hindus.

Official inspection and claims by the Wakf Council

The district administration confirmed that the Wakf Board had indeed submitted a list of properties to the Zilla Panchayat, stating that it was the owner. Under the leadership of the CEO of Zilla Panchayat, the properties included in the list of the Wakf Board were being verified. Representatives of the Waqf Board and Zilla Panchayat visited the village to identify and verify these sites, causing widespread concern.

RTI revelations

The problems in Kadakola reflect a larger problem emerging in Karnataka. Recently, an RTI query revealed that the Wakf Board is laying claim to ownership of several historical properties in the state, further raising concerns over its expanding claims.

According to the RTI, the Wakf Board has laid claim to 53 historical monuments in Karnataka under ASI protection. These places include important landmarks such as Gulbarga Fort, Gol Gumbaz, Bara Kaman in Bijapur and Bidar Fort. It is noteworthy that back in 2005, the Waqf Board claimed ownership of 43 of these 53 monuments.

The RTI findings show that the Wakf Board laid claim to these monuments without prior consultation with the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI). Although the ASI has declared the Waqf Board’s claims null and void, the Board remains adamant that it is unwilling to relinquish its share in these properties.

In the backdrop of increasing incidents like the one in Kadakola, the vast claims and powers of the Wakf Board have created public outrage, especially in Karnataka. Critics say the council’s growing authority is leading to property disputes, especially under the current government administration.