On 27 September 2025, S.M. Nasar, DMK Minister for Minorities Welfare and Non-Resident Tamils Welfare, stated that the Waqf Board in Tamil Nadu would not undergo reconstitution until the Supreme Court delivers its final judgment on the legal petitions challenging the Waqf (Amendment) Act, 2025.

In an official statement, Nasar explained that the DMK, along with several other parties, had filed a petition in the Supreme Court opposing the amended Act. Following this, the court issued an interim order on 15 September, which temporarily suspended specific provisions of the amendment while allowing the rest of the Act to remain operative.

He further clarified that the Tamil Nadu government would not proceed with reconstituting the Waqf Board under the new provisions, which he criticized as being pushed through hastily by the central government, until the Supreme Court issues a conclusive ruling on the matter.

Supreme Court Upholds Waqf (Amendment) Act, 2025, Stays Specific Clauses

On 15 September 2025, the Supreme Court refused to halt the overall implementation of the Waqf (Amendment) Act, 2025, including the requirement that individuals and institutions register Waqf properties they use. However, the Court intervened on specific controversial clauses, putting them on hold until state governments finalize their respective rules.

A bench led by Chief Justice B.R. Gavai and Justice A.G. Masih observed that, after thoroughly examining the legal trajectory of Waqf legislation from its inception in 1923 to its current iteration there was no legal basis to suspend the entire Act. Nonetheless, the judges acknowledged that certain provisions warranted temporary protection due to potential misuse.

One such provision is Section 3(1)(r), which requires that only individuals who have practiced Islam for a minimum of five years are eligible to establish a Waqf. The Court noted that, without a defined process to verify this requirement, its enforcement could lead to arbitrary decisions. The clause has therefore been suspended until proper state-level mechanisms are put in place.

Another clause placed under judicial scrutiny relates to state-appointed officers being authorized to report if a Waqf property encroaches on government land. The Court flagged this as a serious overreach, warning that allowing executive officers to unilaterally determine property rights undermines the constitutional separation of powers. It ruled that no land rights or third-party claims can be enforced unless established through a valid legal process.

While the Court allowed the provision enabling non-Muslims to be appointed to Waqf Boards, it clarified the cap: no more than four non-Muslims in a 20-member board, and a maximum of three in an 11-member board.

Rampant Waqf Land Grab Claims in TN

The sudden wave of Waqf land claims came as a shock to many villagers across Tamil Nadu, who unexpectedly found themselves unable to sell or transfer ownership of their own land to family members all due to broad and sweeping assertions made under the earlier version of the Waqf Act. While recent amendments have aimed to curb the arbitrary powers of Waqf Boards, the burden on ordinary citizens hasn’t eased entirely.

The latest flashpoint emerged from Virudhachalam, where a villager was reportedly blocked from transferring his land to his son. The incident reignited public concern and drew attention to a series of similar cases unfolding across the state.

Recent Instances Of Waqf Land Grabs

Mangalampettai, Virudhachalam

Villagers gathered in protest outside the Mangalampet sub-registrar’s office after officials refused to process a land transfer, claiming the plot belonged to the Tamil Nadu Waqf Board. The issue arose when Periyasamy, a resident of M. Akaram village, attempted to register land in his son Karthikeyan’s name. The protest, backed by Hindu Munnani and BJP representatives, was eventually resolved after talks with local authorities.

Kattukollai, Vellore 

In April 2025, around 150 families received notices stating that their land now belonged to a dargah. The notice, issued by one Syed Ali Sultan Shah, demanded they vacate or pay tax to the religious institution, triggering widespread unrest.

Thiruchendurai, Trichy 

In September 2022, the Tamil Nadu Waqf Board claimed ownership of the entire Thiruchendurai village in Tiruchirapalli, including temple lands, sparking significant concern among residents. This claim emerged when local farmer Rajagopal was required to obtain a No Objection Certificate from the Waqf Board to register his land sale, despite having proper revenue documents. The claim was recently debated in parliament, including over the 1,500-year-old Manendiyavalli Sametha Chandrasekhara Swamy temple. The Tamil Nadu Registration Department has acknowledged issues with encroachments and disputed properties but struggled to justify the Waqf Board’s claims over temple lands.

Thiruparankundram, Madurai

Indian Union Muslim League member and Ramanathapuram MP Navas Kani, who also serves as the Tamil Nadu Waqf Board chairman, has claimed that the dargah at the Thirupparankundram Temple hill is Waqf property.

Peyazhwar Temple, Chennai

Tamil Nadu Waqf Board President Abdul Rahman announced that many Hindu temples are present on Waqf properties, including the 1000-years-old Peyazhwar Temple, on land allegedly owned by the Kutchery Road Mosque.

Balasamudram, Dindigul

In a striking parallel to the Thiruchendurai village land dispute, another property conflict involving the Tamil Nadu Waqf Board has come to light, this time in the Balasamudram Municipality of Dindigul district. With claims dating back to 2020, the Waqf Board asserts ownership over the entire municipality, leaving around 10,000 residents in limbo. Unable to sell their ancestral properties due to unresolved legalities, the community’s frustration culminated in a petition to local authorities in May 2023.

Anganakaundan Puthur, Erode

In 2023, the Tamil Nadu Waqf Board asserted ownership over land allocated to 73 Scheduled Caste families in Anganakaundan Puthur, Erode District. The Tamil Nadu government provided this land in 1980 after a flood, and since then, it has been their home for 40 years. The Waqf Board’s claim has caused significant challenges, including transferring land titles, registering deeds, and obtaining loans.

Veppur Village, Ranipet 

In January 2023, the DMK government wrongly reclassified 57 acres of agricultural land in Veppur village, Ranipet District, as Waqf Board property. This land, which Hindu families had farmed for decades, was abruptly claimed by the Waqf Board without proper notice or due process, causing considerable distress among the affected farmers.

Min Nagar, Kanchipuram 

In January 2025, residents of Min Nagar in Kanchipuram district faced challenges after the Tamil Nadu Waqf Board claimed 2.43 acres of land they’ve lived on for over 40 years. The Kanchipuram Registrar’s Office confirmed the claim, hindering property registrations. The land was purchased in 1982 by employees of the Kanchipuram Electric City Office.

While amendments to the Waqf Act have tried to introduce checks, unresolved disputes continue to impact thousands across Tamil Nadu. Many of these claims date back decades or lack transparency, leaving ordinary citizens entangled in legal and administrative deadlock. As protests grow and more cases surface, pressure is mounting on both state and central authorities to review and address these recurring land conflicts with urgency and fairness.

(With Inputs From The Hindu)

Subscribe to our channels on Telegram, WhatsApp, and Instagram and get the best stories of the day delivered to you personally.

The post Tamil Nadu Won’t Restructure Waqf Board Until Supreme Court Decision, Says DMK Minister Nasar appeared first on The Commune.

Amid Tamil Nadu Chief Minister MK Stalin’s resolution in the state legislative assembly on 27 March 2025, urging the Union government to withdraw the Waqf (Amendment) Bill, 2024, the Tamil Nadu BJP criticized the ruling DMK’s move. They released a video highlighting the impact of the Waqf Board Act on residents who have lost their livelihoods due to its biased and authoritarian nature, all under the watch of MK Stalin in the state.

The video shared by the Tamil Nadu BJP spotlighted the troubling situation in Palayapettai village in Tirunelveli district, which has around 1,500 homes. Of these, nearly 1,200 homes, some of which have been occupied for five to six generations, are now being claimed by the Waqf Board. Residents face constant harassment from Waqf authorities, who demand bribes for basic services such as setting up street lights, changing deeds from parents to children, or acquiring an NOC certificate. These bribes range from ₹50,000 to ₹1,00,000. Ironically, the Waqf Board, which came into existence in 1954, also claims ownership of a 500-year-old temple in the village.

In response, Tamil Nadu BJP posted on its official X account, stating, “It is high time that this Waqf Act, which continues to encroach upon the lands of indigenous peoples and make them refugees, without any formal documentation, should be amended.”

In the video shared by Tamil Nadu BJP, the party strongly declared, “Land is people’s recognition! Land is people’s identity! Land is people’s right! The Waqf Board seeks to seize the land that people have earned through generations of hard work, overcoming tears and hardships.”

One resident’s family in the video shared their painful experience, saying, “We have been living in the same village, in the same house, for over 150 years. Six generations of our family have lived in this house. I want to transfer the ownership of this house from my mother’s name to mine but when I tried to do, they said, ‘You cannot register it here.’ We asked the Sub-Registrar and he said, ‘Your ward has been blocked.’ When we asked who blocked it, they said, ‘The Waqf Board.’ They told us to go to the Waqf Board and obtain a No Objection Certificate (NOC). When we went to the Waqf Board office to request the NOC they demand ₹50,000 to ₹1,00,000 as a bribe. They keep saying, ‘None of the people in your area have any authority. You are all under the Waqf board’ and create issues by claiming we owe them money.”

Another resident said, “I have all the necessary documents, including the sale deed but they are refusing to proceed with the registration.”

A woman in the village shared her frustration, saying, “They claim that the land belongs to the Waqf Board and refuse to provide anything. The entire wall has cracks. When we approached the bank with the deed to request a loan they refused to provide it. What are we supposed to do?”

Another woman expressed her struggle, saying, “We are unable to build proper toilet facilities or install electric lights. When we request an electricity connection, they demand money. If we want to build a single room on our own land, they ask for separate payment for that too. So, what is the solution for us? We work hard to earn our living, while they exploit and extort money from us.” Another resident added, “They constantly come and harass us, demanding money.”

The 500-year-old temple in the village is also embroiled in disputes, as the Waqf Board claims ownership. This temple, where people have gathered to share their joys and sorrows, and the temple pond where they’ve immersed themselves in prayer, are cherished parts of the community’s life. These sacred places are now being claimed by the Waqf Board.

A villager shared, “This is the pathway to the temple and an arch was constructed here by the trustee but they came and protested saying it shouldn’t be built. We built only after obtaining permission from the police. If we try to do anything good for the temple, they say we shouldn’t. Hence, we are requesting the government authorities to resolve this issue once and for all.”

A female devotee and village resident questioned, “As Hindus, how can we not worship our deity?”

The fate of Palyapettai village in Tirunelveli district hangs in the balance, with houses on the brink of collapse, temple ponds choked with overgrown bushes, and a severe lack of basic amenities such as streetlights and proper roads. The lives of its residents remain uncertain.

எந்த வித முறையான ஆவணங்களும் இல்லாமல், மனம் போன போக்கில் பூர்வகுடி மக்களின் நிலங்களை ஆக்கிரமித்து அவர்களை அகதியாக்கும் சூழ்ச்சியாக நீடிக்கும் இந்த வக்ஃப் சட்டமானது, திருத்தப்பட வேண்டியது காலத்தின் கட்டாயம்.. pic.twitter.com/SqoAMiai65

— BJP Tamilnadu (@BJP4TamilNadu) March 27, 2025

Why is the Waqf (Amendment) Act necessary?

• In 2020, the Tamil Nadu Waqf Board claimed ownership of the entire Balasamudram Municipality in Dindigul district, asserting that their records indicate the area spans 389 acres. Due to ongoing legal disputes, this claim has left approximately 10,000 residents in limbo, as they can now not sell their ancestral properties.
• In September 2022, the Tamil Nadu Waqf Board claimed ownership of the entire Thiruchendurai village in Tiruchirapalli, including temple lands, sparking significant concern among residents. This claim emerged when local farmer Rajagopal was required to obtain a No Objection Certificate from the Waqf Board to register his land sale, despite having proper revenue documents. The claim was recently debated in parliament, including over the 1,500-year-old Manendiyavalli Sametha Chandrasekhara Swamy temple. The Tamil Nadu Registration Department has acknowledged issues with encroachments and disputed properties but struggled to justify the Waqf Board’s claims over temple lands.
• In 2023, the Tamil Nadu Waqf Board asserted ownership over land allocated to 73 Scheduled Caste families in Anganakaundan Puthur, Erode District. The Tamil Nadu government provided this land in 1980 after a flood, and since then, it has been their home for 40 years. The Waqf Board’s claim has caused significant challenges, including transferring land titles, registering deeds, and obtaining loans.
• In January 2023, the DMK government wrongly reclassified 57 acres of agricultural land in Veppur village, Ranipet District, as Waqf Board property. This land, which Hindu families had farmed for decades, was abruptly claimed by the Waqf Board without proper notice or due process, causing considerable distress among the affected farmers.
• On 11 August 2024, former Tamil Nadu Waqf Board President Abdul Rahman claimed that the Peyazhwar Temple in Mylapore, Chennai, which is allegedly situated on land claimed by the Kutchery Road Mosque.
• In January 2025, residents of Min Nagar in Kanchipuram district faced challenges after the Tamil Nadu Waqf Board claimed 2.43 acres of land they’ve lived on for over 40 years. The Kanchipuram Registrar’s Office confirmed the claim, hindering property registrations. The land was purchased in 1982 by employees of the Kanchipuram Electric City Office.

Subscribe to our channels on Telegram, WhatsApp, and Instagram and get the best stories of the day delivered to you personally.

The post Tamil Nadu BJP Slams DMK’s Resolution Against Waqf Amendment Bill, Highlights Harassment Faced By Palayapettai Residents Due To Their Lands Claimed By Waqf Board appeared first on The Commune.

Indian Union Muslim League member and Ramanathapuram MP Navas Kani, who also serves as the Tamil Nadu Waqf Board chairman, has claimed that the dargah at the Thirupparankundram Temple hill is Waqf property. This statement has sent shockwaves through the region and intensified existing tensions.

Some Islamists groups have been attempting to assert their rights to conduct animal sacrifices at the hilltop, furthering their claims that the entire Thirupparankundram Hills should be recognized as Sikkandar Hills.

The situation escalated on 27 December 2024, when Madurai police intervened to detain a group of Muslims family attempting to bring goats and roosters to the hilltop dargah for ritual sacrifice. Syed Abu Dahir, a 53-year-old from Malaiyadipatti in Rajapalayam, arrived with his family and animals for the ceremony but was stopped by authorities at the base of the hill. Police informed them that bringing livestock up the hill was prohibited, which led to a protest by over 20 local Muslims at the foot of the hill in solidarity with the family.

The following week, on 5 January 2025, another large group of Muslim protesters gathered at Thirupparankundram Hills, demanding permission to offer prayers at the mosque located at the top. When the police denied their request, tensions escalated, leading to a brief scuffle and the detention of the protesters.

On 17 January 2025, during the Santhanakoodu Festival at a nearby dargah, social media posts began circulating about an upcoming “Equality Feast” (Samabanthi Bhojan) on 18 January at the hilltop dargah, where goats and roosters were allegedly to be sacrificed. Fearing communal unrest, police set up barricades and conducted searches to prevent the transportation of livestock to the hill. When the dargah Jamath was informed that animal sacrifices were not allowed, protests broke out. Members of the Jamath, along with other Muslim protesters, clashed with the police, causing further disruptions.

The situation was exacerbated by the involvement of the Social Democratic Party of India (SDPI), an ally of AIADMK and a group linked to the banned terror outfit PFI. These elements are believed to be behind the attempts to conduct animal sacrifices at the sacred Thirupparankundram Hill.

Furthering tensions, on 21 January 2025, DMK Manapparai MLA Abdul Samad was accused of conducting an illegal survey around the temple with intentions to gain control of the hill. On the same day, IUML member and Ramanathapuram MP Navas Kani was seen giving an interview near the Thirupparankundram Hills. When asked whether the dargah at the hilltop was under the Waqf Board, Navas Kani confirmed, “Yes, it is under the control of the Tamil Nadu Waqf Board,” further heightening tensions in the Thirupparankundram area.

திருப்பரங்குன்றம் முருகன் கோவில் விவகாரத்தில், மலை அடிவாரத்தில் காசி விஸ்வநாதர் ஆலயம் செல்லும் பாதையில், ராமநாதபுரம் பாராளுமன்ற உறுப்பினர் திரு.நவாஸ் கனி அவர்கள் மேலே அமையப்பட்டுள்ள சிக்கந்தர் பாஷா தர்கா வக்பு வாரியத்தின் கட்டுப்பாட்டுக்கு கீழ் வரும் என கூறியுள்ளார்.

இந்த… pic.twitter.com/49bGUheQBD

— J.K.GogulBalaji (@JKGogulBalaji) January 21, 2025

Subscribe to our channels on Telegram, WhatsApp, and Instagram and get the best stories of the day delivered to you personally.

The post Indian Union Muslim League MP From Ramanathapuram Claims Dargah At Thirupparankundram Temple Hill Belongs To Waqf appeared first on The Commune.

In a troubling development in Tamil Nadu, residents of Min Nagar in Kanchipuram district are expressing their frustration over a recent claim by the Tamil Nadu Waqf Board regarding 2.43 acres of land where Hindus have been living for over 40 years. The Kanchipuram Registrar’s Office has stated that the land belongs to the Waqf Board, leading to difficulties for the residents in registering their properties.

The land in question was originally purchased in 1982 by employees of the Kanchipuram Electric City Office, who acquired 6.13 acres in Konerikuppam, near the Kanchipuram Corporation. Over time, these residents built homes and settled there.

The issue specifically revolves around Survey No. 82, one of four survey numbers (82, 83/2, 85, and 89/2), where the residents are now facing obstacles in registering their deeds for the 2.43 acres. Shanthibai, one of the residents, attempted to sell her house at the Kanchipuram Registrar’s Office in October 2024 but was told that the Waqf Board claimed ownership of over 40 residential plots in Survey No. 82. The Registrar’s office informed her that she would need to obtain a no-objection certificate from the Waqf Board before proceeding with the sale.

Similarly, D. Munseeb from Min Nagar, who wanted to divide his property between his children, was also denied registration due to the land being labeled as Waqf Board property.

Srinivasan, the secretary of the Min Nagar Welfare Association, explained that the 2.43-acre plot in Survey No. 82 had originally been owned by Kanniyappan in 1944. The property was later auctioned by the Revenue Department to Vitobhasha, from whom the residents, mostly Hindus, purchased it as residential plots in 1982. The Revenue Department issued them pattas, and they have been paying property taxes ever since. Srinivasan emphasized that the Waqf Board’s objection is without documentation, and the Land Registry Department has previously confirmed that there were no encroachments on the land between 1967 and 1981.

He further called on the Waqf Board to provide any relevant documents to support its claim to the land. He also mentioned that more than 40 families are affected by this issue and that the residents have lodged complaints with the Collector, the District Registrar, and the Chief Minister’s Special Division, urging the government to intervene and resolve the matter.

A.T. Kandasamy, another resident of Min Nagar, shared his distress, recounting how he was informed by the Sub-Registrar’s office that his land could not be sold because it was allegedly owned by the Waqf Board. He expressed disbelief, asking how land where Hindus have lived for years could belong to the Waqf Board. Kandasamy, who had hoped to sell his house to cover wedding expenses, called the situation a source of great distress, as he is unable to sell the property due to the claim. He appealed to the government to take action and clarify the ownership of the land.

(With inputs from Dinamalar)

Subscribe to our Telegram, WhatsApp, and Instagram channels and get the best stories of the day delivered to you personally.

The post Kanchipuram Residents Frustrated As Waqf Board Allegedly Claims Over 2.43 Acres Of Land They’ve Lived On For Decades appeared first on The Commune.

In a alarming situation reminiscent of the Tamil Nadu villages that were swallowed by the Tamil Nadu Waqf Board, the Bihar State Sunni Waqf Board is reportedly asserting ownership over an entire village and is demanding that the residents vacate within 30 days.

Bihar Waqf Claims Entire Govindpur

The Bihar State Sunni Waqf Board has reportedly claimed ownership of a village where approximately 95% of the residents are Hindu. At least seven individuals have been issued notices instructing them to leave the land within a month in Govindpur village, located 30 kilometres from Patna.

The notices inform the villagers that the Waqf Board owns the land they occupy and that they must vacate. Those who have received these notices include Brijesh Ballabh Prasad, Malti Devi, Rajkishore Mehta, Ramlal Sao, Sanjay Prasad, Sudip Kumar, and Surendra Vishwakarma.

The villagers dispute this claim, asserting their ancestors granted them the land. The seven affected villagers have petitioned the Patna High Court in response to the notices. The High Court has noted that the land has been in the name of the villagers’ descendants since 1910.

Why is the Waqf (Amendment) Act necessary?

• In 2020, the Tamil Nadu Waqf Board claimed ownership of the entire Balasamudram Municipality in Dindigul district, asserting that their records indicate the area spans 389 acres. Due to ongoing legal disputes, this claim has left approximately 10,000 residents in limbo, as they can now not sell their ancestral properties.
• In September 2022, the Tamil Nadu Waqf Board claimed ownership of the entire Thiruchendurai village in Tiruchirapalli, including temple lands, sparking significant concern among residents. This claim emerged when local farmer Rajagopal was required to obtain a No Objection Certificate from the Waqf Board to register his land sale, despite having proper revenue documents. The claim was recently debated in parliament, including over the 1,500-year-old Manendiyavalli Sametha Chandrasekhara Swamy temple. The Tamil Nadu Registration Department has acknowledged issues with encroachments and disputed properties but struggled to justify the Waqf Board’s claims over temple lands.
• In 2023, the Tamil Nadu Waqf Board asserted ownership over land allocated to 73 Scheduled Caste families in Anganakaundan Puthur, Erode District. The Tamil Nadu government provided this land in 1980 after a flood, and since then, it has been their home for 40 years. The Waqf Board’s claim has caused significant challenges, including transferring land titles, registering deeds, and obtaining loans.
• In January 2023, the DMK government wrongly reclassified 57 acres of agricultural land in Veppur village, Ranipet District, as Waqf Board property. This land, which Hindu families had farmed for decades, was abruptly claimed by the Waqf Board without proper notice or due process, causing considerable distress among the affected farmers.

Currently, the Waqf Board’s sudden claims over lands in India including ancient temple lands has sparked controversy. The Board cannot demand the Hindu residents, who have invested generations of labor into their properties, vacate their homes. This issue highlights the outdated and problematic nature of laws inherited from the British era and perpetuated by Congress. Such practices are no longer acceptable in the modern era, and there must be checks and balances on the Waqf Board’s claims.

To address these concerns, Union Minister of Minority Affairs Kiren Rijiju recently introduced the Waqf (Amendment) Bill, 2024, in the Lok Sabha. Despite opposition from various political parties, Rijiju defended the Bill, asserting that it respects the rights of all religious organizations. The proposed legislation aims to redefine the powers of State Waqf Boards, improve property registration and surveying processes, and address encroachments. Additionally, Rijiju introduced the Mussalman Wakf (Repeal) Bill, 2024, to repeal the Mussalman Wakf Act of 1923, reflecting a move towards modernizing and reforming Waqf property management.

(With Inputs From Aaj Tak)

Subscribe to our Telegram, WhatsApp, and Instagram channels and instantly get the day’s best stories.

The post Voices Rise Calling For Amending Waqf Board Act As Bihar Sunni Waqf Claims Entire Village & Orders Residents To Vacate In 30 Days appeared first on The Commune.

Tamil Nadu Waqf Board President Abdul Rahman announced that many Hindu temples are present on Waqf properties, including the Peyazhwar Temple, on land allegedly owned by the Kutchery Road Mosque. Rahman said the board never disputed their existence or interfered with its operations even then.

Rahman also claimed that some individuals are attempting to politicize Hindu temples located on Waqf board properties.

During a recent press conference in Nagapattinam, he explained that during the British era, the Waqf Board was established to manage lands voluntarily donated by wealthy individuals to maintain dargahs and mosques. He emphasized that the “Waqf Board has never opposed Hindu temples situated on Waqf properties” and views such temples as a pride.

Rahman accused certain parties of trying to create discord between religious communities by politicizing these Hindu temples. At the same time, the Board’s primary concern remains addressing any attempts to expropriate these properties illegally.

At a press conference on 11 August 2024, Abdul Rahman clarified the status of Tiruchendurai village. He explained that a wealthy Mirasdar had donated 385 acres of land for public use, officially registered with the Waqf Board. He said this is documented and recorded with the Tamil Nadu Waqf Board. Based on these documents, including survey numbers and other data, orders were issued to all sub-registrar offices to prevent the sale of these lands without permission, including orders on Tiruchendurai.

Rahman noted that Tiruchendurai has since expanded to over 600 acres. The Waqf Board’s authority is limited to reclaiming land it owns, and any suggestion that the Waqf Board is seeking to claim the entire village is misleading and creates unnecessary panic among the public. He emphasized that the Waqf Board has not made such claims.

Addressing the allegations regarding the Waqf Board’s claims on 1,000-year-old temples, Abdul Rahman clarified, “A 1000-year-old temple is pointed out in the particular area, and the temple is not an issue as the Tamil Nadu Waqf Board has never said anything about it. The Waqf does not even claim the presence of a temple on Waqf property.”

Rahman provided an example from Sooriyur, a vast village in the Trichy district that is one of seven villages under Waqf management. He said that “eight to nine lakes surround a 1000-year-old temple. The documents state that the temple and these surrounding lakes belong to the Hindus for their worship and should continue. Therefore, we are not disputing it.”

Continuing his response to claims regarding Hindu temples, Abdul Rahman provided another example from Chennai. He mentioned that the Kutchery Road Mosque, which owns 144 grounds, includes a 4-ground piece of land on which the Peyazhwar temple is situated. He questioned whether the Waqf Board has ever claimed this land.

Abdul Rahman said, “Chennai’s Kutchery Road Mosque owns 144 acres of land, among which four grounds contain a temple called Peyazhwar Temple or something like that. It is on waqf property. Have we ever talked about it? The Hindus worship there, so we are keeping it as it is.”

Rahman emphasized that the lands donated by wealthy individuals were meant for public benefit and should be viewed from a religiously neutral perspective. Ironically, he further argued that while the temple belongs to Hindus, the land is under the Waqf Board’s jurisdiction, which has a duty to protect these lands. He noted that the Waqf Act underscores the importance of safeguarding such properties.

Finally, Abdul Rahman buttressed his claim with a thought-provoking explanation regarding the claim on the 1,000-year-old temple. He illustrated his point with a hypothetical scenario. If he were to purchase a piece of land that contains a Vinayagar temple and allowed the worshippers to continue their practices there, it would be unreasonable for those worshippers to then claim the temple as their own based on its 600-year history after the purchase. Rahman used this analogy to emphasize that, likewise, the Waqf Board manages lands and properties of villages like Tiruchendurai and others, including temples. However, he did not address how these ancient properties came under Waqf’s control.

Who was Peyazhwar?

Pey Azhvar, one of the twelve Alvar saints, is a key figure in the Vaishnava tradition of Hinduism in Southern India. Ranked third among the principal Azhvars, he is renowned for composing a hundred verses, known as Munram Tiruvantati. According to legend, Pey Azhvar was discovered at the Adi Kesava Perumal Temple in Mylapore, Chennai.

In Tamil, pey refers to someone who is possessed. The saint was intensely devoted to Lord Vishnu.

Subscribe to our Telegram, WhatsApp, and Instagram channels and get the best stories of the day delivered to you personally.

The post “Chennai’s 1000-yr-old Peyazhwar Temple Is On Waqf Property”: TN Waqf Board Chief Claims appeared first on The Commune.

In a striking parallel to the Thiruchendurai village land dispute, another property conflict involving the Tamil Nadu Waqf Board has come to light, this time in the Balasamudram Municipality of Dindigul district. With claims dating back to 2020, the Waqf Board asserts ownership over the entire municipality, leaving around 10,000 residents in limbo. Unable to sell their ancestral properties due to unresolved legalities, the community’s frustration culminated in a petition to local authorities in May 2023.

Still, the deadlock remains, mirroring the challenges faced by those in Thiruchendurai.

Significant yet Underreported dispute with Waqf Board

In a development that didn’t receive much media coverage, this case in Balasamudram is worryingly similar to the Waqf Board claiming ownership of the entire village of Thiruchendurai, which, according to their records, spans 389 acres. Balasamudram Municipality is in the Palani area of the Dindigul district. Due to this claim by the Waqf Board, residents of these villages have been unable to buy or sell their properties.

The Balasamudram Municipality, which comprises 18 wards and approximately 10,000 residents, has been grappling with a property dispute. On 25 May 2023, the residents petitioned Tehsildar Siva Kumar of Palani, requesting a revision of property claims to sell their land—properties that have been in their families for generations. However, the Registration Department has not recognised their ownership, citing Tamil Nadu Waqf Board’s claim as per Re.No 786/2022. The Waqf Board made its claim on Balasamudram on 21 February 2020.

Priyanka, a villagers’ representative, has petitioned the Tehsildar and spoken to the press about the issue. She stated that “the residents cannot mortgage their lands due to the Waqf Board’s claim. The Registration Department has indicated that the land belongs to the Tamil Nadu Waqf Board based on old VAO records, specifically Survey Number 53/1A, which lists 96 acres as Waqf property. However, discrepancies exist between the Waqf Board’s survey and the patta numbers. The petition to the Tehsildar seeks to address these inconsistencies and facilitate proper land registration.“

Case from dindugal district.

Entire town panchayat "Bala samuthiram" near Pazhani claimed By Waqf Board @narendramodi Government should act fast in this matter.#Modi #WaqfBoardBill pic.twitter.com/Nb7oWPJ3c0

— Matt murdock (@mattmurock123) August 9, 2024

The situation did not end there. A troubling aspect of the case is that while the villagers have been prevented from registering their lands, the Registration Department has allowed others to buy and sell properties in the same villages. Although the Waqf Board issued a claim notice in 2022, the Palani Registration Department continued processing registrations for Survey Number 53/1A up until March 2023. Petitioner Priyanka has alleged that action should be taken against the officers who facilitated these registrations.

Thiruchendurai Village Claimed As Waqf Property

Rajagopal of Mullikarupur, who owns agricultural land in Thiruchendurai village, agreed to sell 1 acre 2 cents of his land to one Rajarajeshwari. He went to the Joint III Sub-Registrar office in Trichy to arrange the purchase deed for ₹3.5 lakhs and get it registered.

However, the sub-registrar told him that the land could not be registered as it belonged to the Tamil Nadu Waqf Board and that he had to get a ‘No Objection Certificate’ from the state Waqf Board office in Chennai to sell the land. When Rajagopal asked why he needed a NOC from the Waqf Board to sell land he purchased in 1992, the sub-registrar reportedly told him that this is the procedure for deeding any land in Tiruchendurai village.

The Waqf Board has sent a letter to the Registration Department along with documents stating that the entire village belongs to them and that those who come to register a deed for land in the village should get an NOC from them.

He was also shown a copy of the 250-page Waqf Board letter. In that letter, the Waqf Board has said that tens of thousands of acres of land all over Tamil Nadu are theirs. Rajagopal later explained his ordeal to the people of Thiruchendurai village, who are now concerned about the Waqf Board’s takeover of their lands. They have noted that when they already have the revenue department documents, including patta, chitta, adangal, revenue ‘A’ registration, and encumbrance certificate, how can the Waqf Board claim Thiruchenthurai village as its property?

The issue was brought to the notice of the District Collector, who has reportedly assured to look into the matter and decide.

TN Registration Department

Tamil Nadu Government Registration Department officials have said there are encroachments on water bodies, Waqf Board properties, and temple properties. The department claims to have received information that, through forged documents, unrelated persons were holding these lands, and many were embroiled in legal disputes.

“The court criticised the government and directed it to take appropriate steps to recover the assets. Based on that, in 2016, the government took measures to recover the assets. Following this move, the Waqf Boards recovered their properties throughout Tamil Nadu. The Board sorted out what it found to be its assets and notified the department of them. They also asked the registration department to stop any arrangement for the registration of deeds regarding certain properties. It is on this basis that entire villages, including Thiruchendurai and Kadiakurichi, have been identified as Waqf Board properties.”, Registration Department officials were quoted saying in the report.

Officials also noted that they will speak to the Secretary of the Minority Welfare Department and the Chairman of the Waqf Board.

They admitted that it is absurd to refer to Thiruchendurai temple and its lands as Waqf Board properties and that they have been facing problems when deed registrations have to be denied based on the Waqf Board’s letter.

Apart from villages like Thiruchenthurai and Kadiakurichi, regions in and around Chennai also have this problem, where the Waqf Board has claimed lands.

Tamil Nadu Waqf Board

Tamil Nadu Waqf Board is a statutory body established under the Waqf Act 1954 that supervises and manages Waqf institutions and administers Waqf properties.

Waqf properties are those movable and immovable properties dedicated by a person professing Islam for any purpose recognised by Muslim law as pious, religious or charitable.

Subscribe to our channels on Telegram, WhatsApp, and Instagram and get the best stories of the day delivered to you personally. 

The post TN: TN Waqf Board Claims entire Balasamudram Village in Dindigul appeared first on The Commune.

The Madras High Court has ruled against a 2010 amendment that brought Waqf properties under the jurisdiction of the Tamil Nadu Public Premises (Eviction of Unauthorised Occupants) Act of 1976, thereby giving authority to the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the Tamil Nadu Waqf Board to order the eviction of encroachers.

Chief Justice Sanjay V Gangapurwala and Justice D Bharatha Chakravarthy presiding the bench found the 2010 amendment by the State legislature to be incompatible with the Waqf Act of 1995, a Central law. They determined that encroachers on waqf properties could only be evicted through waqf tribunals established under a 2013 amendment to the Central law.

The judges supported arguments by a group of lawyers, led by Senior Counsel V Raghavachari and SR Raghunathan, that the 2010 amendment exceeded state jurisdiction and required Presidential approval due to its conflict with Union legislation. Rejecting the State government’s argument for the coexistence of state and Central laws, the bench ruled that only the procedures outlined in the Union law should be followed for eviction, as stated in the 2013 amendment.

In their ruling, Justice Chakravarthy highlighted the inadequacy of the original provisions of the Waqf Act, 1995 in addressing encroachments on Waqf properties. He noted the recommendation of the Sachar Committee to extend the Public Premises (Eviction of Unauthorised Occupants) Act, 1971 to waqf properties for the benefit of the public. While Tamil Nadu implemented the 2010 amendment based on this recommendation, many other states did not. Consequently, the Parliament amended the Waqf Act in 2013 to ensure uniformity in eviction procedures nationwide. The bench noted that this amendment superseded the 2010 state amendment.

In concluding their verdict, the bench emphasized, “The Parliamentary law intends to secure the protection of waqf properties which requires uniformity of law and consistency of its application all over the country. The Central Act is thus made as an exhaustive code on the subject. Therefore, the State enactment is repugnant to the Waqf Act of 1995 as amended in the year 2013.” 

The #MadrasHC has declared unconstitutional, a 2010 amendment which brought waqf properties under the ambit of the Tamil Nadu Public Premises (Eviction of Unauthorised Occupants) Act of 1976, reports @imranhindu https://t.co/2N6e2I1cvg

— The Hindu – Chennai (@THChennai) April 25, 2024

(with inputs from The Hindu)

Subscribe to our channels on Telegram, WhatsApp, and Instagram and get the best stories of the day delivered to you personally.

The post Madras HC Declares 2010 Amendment On Waqf Act Unconstitutional; Gives Authority To TN Waqf Board CEO To Order Encroachers’ Eviction appeared first on The Commune.

Prominent Dravidian Stockist news outlet The News Minute (TNM), which is popularly perceived as the unofficial mouthpiece of the DMK, has published an article in which it tries to establish that the village of Thiruchendurai belongs to the Tamil Nadu Waqf Board and not the legitimate owners of the land.

There has been a furore over the Tamil Nadu Waqf Board listing the entire village of Thiruchendurai in Tiruchirappalli district as its property, including a a temple and its lands.

This came to light after a man named Rajagopal had gone to the Joint III Sub-Registrar office in Trichy to sell his agricultural land that he had in Thiruchendurai. He was told by the sub-registrar that he cannot sell his land as it belongs to the Tamil Nadu Waqf Board. The sub-registrar had told him that he has to get a ‘No Objection Certificate’ from the Tamil Nadu Waqf Board office in Chennai to sell the land.

Apparently, the Waqf Board has sent a letter to the Registration Department along with documents that the entire village belongs to them and that those who come to register a deed for a land in the village, should get a NOC from them.

As the news snowballed into a controversy, the Tamil Nadu Waqf Board ‘allowed’ property-related transactions in the Tiruchendurai village for the time being.

Reporting on the matter, TNM quoted the Tamil Nadu Waqf Board Chairman Abdul Rahman who has claimed that the records available with the Waqf Board show 389.03 acres of the land in Thiruchendurai as its property.

“For most of the properties, the survey number is mentioned. But for some, the records available with us only mention the extent of the land owned, and not the specific details. The survey numbers and other information are available with the Tamil Nadu State Archives. We have requested the department to share those details, based on which we will decide on the next course of action”, he was quoted saying in TNM’s report written by Senior News Editor Shabbir Ahmed.

He was also quoted saying that they have now “allowed” the registration of properties in the village “as of now”.

Chairman Abdul Rahman also noted that just because there is a temple on the land, it cannot be decided that it is not Waqf land adding that the land in the name of Waqf can “still be used for public utility”.

“We have come across certain documents which show that when philanthropists donate large amounts of lands to Waqf institutions, they sometimes allocate portions of that land for other uses, such as the establishment of temples and ponds, etc. This could have happened in Thiruchenthurai as well. Just because there is a temple on the land, we cannot simply decide that it is not Waqf land. Besides, any land in the name of Waqf can still be used for public utility.”, Abdul Rahman was quoted in the report by TNM.

TNM also legitimized the Waqf Board’s claims stating “TNM also verified the Gazette Notification number 570 to confirm that the land had been registered as Waqf property on June 27, 1956.”

It further further add weightage to the Waqf Board’s claims stating that Waqf Assets Management System of India, managed by the Union Ministry of Minority Affairs, lists 389.03 acres of land at Thiruchenthurai village as Waqf Board property.

However, not a word has been written about the land owners who already have the revenue department documents including patta, chitta, adangal, revenue ‘A’ registration, encumbrance certificate, etc.

On the other hand, it went on to turn the tables portraying those fighting for their land rights as if it is the BJP which is trying to give a communalise the issue.

Click here to subscribe to The Commune on Telegram and get the best stories of the day delivered to you personally.

The post Dravidian Stockist Outlet TNM Publishes Article Justifying Usurpation Of Village By TN Waqf Board appeared first on The Commune.

A pall of gloom has descended over Thiruchendurai village in Tiruchirapalli district, as the Tamil Nadu Waqf Board has reportedly claimed the entire village, including the temple lands, as its property.

Tamil Nadu Waqf Board

Tamil Nadu Waqf Board is a statutory body established under the Waqf Act 1954 that supervises and manages Waqf institutions and administers Waqf properties.

Waqf properties are those movable and immovable properties dedicated by a person professing Islam for any purpose recognised by Muslim law as pious, religious or charitable.

How Thiruchendurai villagers discovered this claim

According to a report by Tamil daily Dinamalar, one Rajagopal of Mullikarupur, who owns agricultural land in Thiruchendurai village, agreed to sell 1 acre 2 cents of his land to one Rajarajeshwari. He went to the Joint III Sub-Registrar office in Trichy to arrange the purchase deed for ₹3.5 lakhs and get it registered.

However, the sub-registrar told him that the land could not be registered as it belonged to the Tamil Nadu Waqf Board and that he had to get a ‘No Objection Certificate’ from the state Waqf Board office in Chennai to sell the land.

When Rajagopal asked why he needed a NOC from the Waqf Board to sell land he purchased in 1992, the sub-registrar reportedly told him that this is the procedure for deeding any land in Tiruchendurai village.

The Waqf Board has sent a letter to the Registration Department along with documents stating that the entire village belongs to them and that those who come to register a deed for land in the village should get an NOC from them.

He was also shown a copy of the 250-page Waqf Board letter. In that letter, the Waqf Board has said that tens of thousands of acres of land all over Tamil Nadu are theirs.

Rajagopal later explained his ordeal to the people of Thiruchendurai village, who are now concerned about the Waqf Board’s takeover of their lands.

They have noted that when they already have the revenue department documents, including patta, chitta, adangal, revenue ‘A’ registration, and encumbrance certificate, how can the Waqf Board claim Thiruchenthurai village as its property?

The issue was brought to the notice of the District Collector, who has reportedly assured to look into the matter and decide.

Hindu-Majority Village

BJP leader Allur Prakash from Trichy noted that Thiruchendurai village is a picturesque agricultural village located on the south bank of the Cauvery River, where most of the people are Hindus. “What is the relationship between the Waqf Board and Thiruchenthurai Village?” he asked in the report.

“There is the Manendiyavalli Sametha Chandrasekhara Swamy temple, which has a ‘paadal petra sthalam. Various documents and evidence suggest that this temple is 1,500 years old. The temple owns 369 acres of land inside and outside Tiruchenthurai village. Does this temple land also belong to the Waqf Board?” Prakash was quoted saying.

Lord Renganathar of the Srirangam Temple is believed to wake up in Tiruchenthurai village during the Adibrahmotsava festival of Panguni month.

“When an individual of the village holds the land documents, how can the Waqf Board declare it as its property without any evidence? Even if the Waqf Board has issued a letter claiming the lands to be its own, how can the higher officials of the Registration Department order not to register the deed without verifying the claims of the Waqf Board?”

Registration Department officials

For their part, the Tamil Nadu Government Registration Department officials have said there are encroachments on water bodies, Waqf Board properties, and temple properties. The department claims to have received information that, through forged documents, unrelated persons were holding these lands, and many were embroiled in legal disputes.

“The court criticised the government and directed it to take appropriate steps to recover the assets. Based on that, in 2016, the government took measures to recover the assets. Following this move, the Waqf Boards recovered their properties throughout Tamil Nadu. The Board sorted out what it found to be its assets and notified the department of them. They also asked the registration department to stop any arrangement for the registration of deeds regarding certain properties. It is on this basis that entire villages, including Thiruchendurai and Kadiakurichi, have been identified as Waqf Board properties.”, Registration Department officials were quoted saying in the report.

Officials also noted that they will speak to the Secretary of the Minority Welfare Department and the Chairman of the Waqf Board.

They admitted that it is absurd to refer to Thiruchendurai temple and its lands as Waqf Board properties and that they have been facing problems when deed registrations have to be denied based on the Waqf Board’s letter.

Apart from villages like Thiruchenthurai and Kadiakurichi, regions in and around Chennai also have this problem, where the Waqf Board has claimed lands.

(With inputs from Dinamalar)

Click here to subscribe to The Commune on Telegram and get the best stories of the day delivered to you personally.

The post TN Waqf Board Claims Entire Hindu-Majority Thiruchendurai Village As Its Property appeared first on The Commune.