A major land ownership dispute has erupted in Kattukollai village of Anaikattu Taluk in Tamil Nadu’s Vellore district, after around 150 farming families received a notice allegedly declaring their agricultural land as Waqf property. The notice, reportedly issued by an individual named Syed Ali Sultan Shah, claimed the land belonged to a local dargah and instructed villagers to either vacate the property or begin paying tax to the religious institution.
The affected families, who say they have lived and farmed in the area for at least four generations, expressed shock and distress over the claim. Many possess government-issued land documents and have relied entirely on the land for their livelihood. Fearing displacement and the loss of their only source of income, the villagers approached the Vellore District Collector’s office demanding immediate intervention and legal clarity.
Local Hindu Munnani leader Mahesh, who led the villagers to the Collectorate, urged the administration to act swiftly and issue official pattas (ownership titles) to the residents. According to Mahesh, the disputed land falls under survey number 330/1, which has now been marked as Waqf land in official records. He emphasized that the villagers have valid documentation and called for protection of their rights.
The situation in Kattukollai mirrors a similar controversy that unfolded in Thiruchendurai village in Tiruchirappalli district, where the Tamil Nadu Waqf Board claimed ownership of around 480 acres of land, including the site of a 1,500-year-old Chola-era temple. In that case, villagers were informed that they could not transfer or sell their land without a No-Objection Certificate (NOC) from the Waqf Board. Many landowners were unaware of these claims until attempting to complete property transactions.
The Tamil Nadu Waqf Board has stated that its records, based on a 1954 government survey, show ownership of approximately 389 acres across 18 villages in the state. However, the sudden assertion of these claims has led to confusion, unrest, and legal uncertainty among residents.
The matter has drawn national attention. During discussions on the Waqf (Amendment) Bill in Parliament, Union Minister for Minority Affairs Kiren Rijiju cited the Tamil Nadu land disputes as evidence of the need for reform. The bill was passed by both Houses of Parliament following a 12-hour debate and received presidential assent from President Droupadi Murmu on 5 April 2025, making it law.
As tensions rise in affected villages, residents await administrative action to resolve the ownership dispute and secure their legal rights to the land they have cultivated for generations.
(With inputs from India Today)
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