It came as a shock to many villagers across Tamil Nadu when they suddenly found themselves unable to sell or transfer ownership of their own land to family members all due to sweeping claims made by 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.

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The post Instances Of Waqf Land Grab In Tamil Nadu appeared first on The Commune.

Tensions flared at the Mangalampettai (Mangalampet) sub-registrar’s office when a group of villagers protested, alleging that local land had been wrongly claimed as Waqf property and refusing to allow its registration.

The issue came to light when over a hundred residents from M. Akaram village, located near Mangalampet, in Virudhachalam assembled outside the sub-registrar’s office around 11:00 a.m. The protest, organized under the banner of the Hindu Munnani, was sparked by a land transaction involving Poomalai, son of M. Akaram resident Periyasamy, who attempted to register a land donation in his son Karthikeyan’s name. Officials refused to process the registration, citing the land as belonging to the Waqf Board.

In response, the villagers led by Hindu Munnani functionary Velmurugan, BJP union leader Paramasivam, and coordinator Kamalakannan demanded that the land be rightfully registered to the family. The group staged a sit-in protest at the office.

Authorities, including Mangalampet Inspector Parthasarathy and District Registrar Mahalakshmi, arrived at the scene to mediate. After discussions, the protest was called off and the crowd dispersed peacefully. The incident caused significant commotion in the area for a time.

Recent Instances Of Waqf Land Grabs

Kattukollai, Vellore

In April 2025, tensions flared in Kattukollai village of Tamil Nadu’s Vellore district after nearly 150 families received notices declaring their land as Waqf property, triggering protests and appeals to district authorities.

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.

Thiruchendurai, Trichy

In September 2022, a rude shock awakened the villagers of Thiruchendurai in Thiruchirapalli District of Tamil Nadu. It had come to light that their entire hamlet which also consisted of a 1500-year-old Shiva temple had been declared as the property of the Waqf Board in Tamil Nadu.

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.

(With inputs from Dinamalar)

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The post One More Waqf Land Grab Comes To Light In Tamil Nadu, Villagers Protest Against Land Being Claimed As Waqf Property Near Virudhachalam appeared first on The Commune.

In September 2022, a rude shock awakened the villagers of Thiruchendurai in Thiruchirapalli District of Tamil Nadu. It had come to light that their entire hamlet which also consisted of a 1500-year-old Shiva temple had been declared as the property of the Waqf Board in Tamil Nadu.

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 an 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.

Chandrasekha Swami Temple

Thiruchendurai village is home to a beautiful temple, Chandrasekara Swami temple which belongs to the Chola period. The temple is a very ancient one & Periya Puranam says that it was sung by Thiru Gnanasambandar (7th century).

The temple was renovated during Parantaka Chola’s time by his daughter in law & wife of Arinjaya Chola, Budhi Aditha Pidari. The queen was from the Kodumbalur Velir family. She not only built the temple but also bought the land from the villagers and made this as Brahmadeyam.

She has also made lots of land donations to the temple & ASI has documented 36 such inscriptions in S.I.I vol 8. Lets see some of these inscriptions. This one speaks about Budhi Aditha Pidari donating 2 Velis of Land. One Veli is equal to about 6 Acres.

This one is about another land donation, with boundaries like Allur Vaikal specified. The donation was given for burning a perpetual lamp in the temple.

This is another fragmented inscription which mentions the donation of Araikani land to the temple for providing food (Salabogam).

This inscription mentions about multiple land portions in the village sold to the temple. The income from these lands used for burning lamps in the temple and donated by Budhi Aditha Pidari.

This inscription details about the land donation of 5 Velis (15 acres) made to the temple by Budhi Aditha Pidaran (brother of the queen) for various rituals in the temple. It mentions that the land donation to the temple stands till Surya & Chandra are there in the universe.

Hence it is clear that the temple owns lot of land the Thiruchendurai village. ASI will have many more details of the donations made to the temple which is built by a queen (princess during that time in fact). Many Chola kings & Vijayanagara kings too donated lavishly to the temple.

TS Krishnan is a Tamil scholar and author.

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The post The Chola-Era Temple In Thiruchendurai That Waqf Board Tried To Usurp appeared first on The Commune.

Just one week before the Maha Kumbh Mela begins in Prayagraj, a controversy has arisen following claims by a Muslim cleric that the event is being held on land owned by the Waqf Board. Maulana Shahabuddin Razvi Barelvi, the president of the All India Muslim Jamat, has asserted that 55 bighas of Waqf land are being utilized for the Hindu religious gathering.

In a video message, Barelvi acknowledged the generosity of the Muslim community in Prayagraj, who, he said, had allowed the Kumbh Mela to take place on Waqf land. He called on Hindus to reciprocate by permitting Muslims to enter the Kumbh Mela. He also criticized the All India Akhara Parishad’s demand to restrict entry to non-Hindus at the event.

Barelvi remarked, “The Akhara Parishad, Naga Sanyasis, swamis, and babas have called for banning Muslims from the Kumbh Mela. On the other hand, a Muslim named Sartaz from Prayagraj has pointed out that the land used for Kumbh preparations belongs to the Waqf, and it is owned by local Muslims. Yet, despite this, Muslims have shown great tolerance by not objecting to the 55 bighas of Waqf land being used for the Mela.” He further stated that while Muslims have demonstrated tolerance, some Hindu groups are showing intolerance by denying Muslims entry into the Kumbh Mela.

WATCH | The 54 Bigha land where the #Mahakumbh Mela is being held in #Prayagraj belongs to the #WAQF board, claims Maulana Shahabuddin Razvi, a Barelvi cleric. pic.twitter.com/lGWIBM8Iko

— Organiser Weekly (@eOrganiser) January 5, 2025

Additionally, there are local Muslim claims that the K.C. Pant Institute in Prayagraj, where the Kumbh Archive Center has been established, is also Waqf property.

Maulana Barelvi’s comments, however, have drawn strong criticism from BJP leaders. Union Minister Giriraj Singh condemned the remarks, calling them an attempt to provoke Hindus and incite communal tensions. He emphasized that the Kumbh Mela predates the birth of Islam and is a deeply respected cultural and religious tradition. “Such statements are aimed at provoking Hindus,” Singh said, also questioning the silence of political leaders like Rahul Gandhi, Uddhav Thackeray, Lalu Prasad Yadav, and Akhilesh Yadav, implying that their silence might suggest an endorsement of such divisive comments.

Singh accused radical elements of distorting historical and cultural facts to disrupt India’s harmony. “The Kumbh Mela is not just a religious event; it is a cultural heritage of India, respected around the world,” he added.

BJP leader Amit Malviya also shared the video of Barelvi’s comments on social media, criticizing the cleric’s statements and suggesting that the Waqf law had become a growing problem.

Hindu leaders have rejected Barelvi’s claims. Hindu Mahasabha President Swami Chakrapani Maharaj strongly condemned the cleric, stating that Barelvi must be backed by forces like Pakistan and others with a “terrorist mindset.” He accused the cleric of attempting to disrupt the Maha Kumbh and called for an investigation into his remarks. “Immediate action should be taken against people who spread such divisive rhetoric. An FIR should be lodged, and they should be arrested to maintain peace,” he said.

The Maha Kumbh, a massive religious event of Hindus, attracts millions of devotees from around the world. This year, it is taking place after 12 years, and the main bathing rituals, known as Shahi Snan (royal baths), will occur on 14  January (Makar Sankranti), 29 January (Mauni Amavasya), and 3 February (Basant Panchami). The Kumbh area is divided into 25 sectors, with 14 of them located in Jhunsi, approximately 9 kilometers from the city of Prayagraj.

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The post Muslim Cleric Shahabuddin Razvi Barelvi Claims Prayagraj Kumbh Mela Site Is Waqf Property appeared first on The Commune.

Union Minister for Heavy Industries and Steel HD Kumaraswamy has warned the ruling Congress in Karnataka, cautioning that if the Waqf land issue is not resolved soon, farmers may take drastic measures and storm into the homes of the Chief Minister, Deputy Chief Minister, and ministers.

While speaking to the media in Doddanahalli village during a campaign in the Channapatna constituency, Kumaraswamy questioned if the Congress government had integrity. “How long will you keep deceiving people like this? Are you favouring one community while neglecting another? Apologise to the public and resolve this issue, or else it won’t be long before people take matters into their own hands and march to your homes,” he warned. Recently, a Congress MLC said people would enter the Governor’s residence as they did in the residence of the Bangladeshi Prime Minister. Don’t be surprised if the same happens to you. Don’t test the patience of the farmers,” he warned.

Kumaraswamy criticised CM Siddaramaiah’s recent statements, saying, “During my tenure as CM, I never saw any Waqf-related files come before me. Decisions related to Waqf were made even during the tenures of former CMs B.S. Yediyurappa and Basavaraj Bommai. CM Siddaramaiah’s statement on this matter lacks responsibility.” He further clarified, “Neither farmers’ lands, nor the lands of Hindu temples, nor the hills in Ramanagara were given to Waqf during my time. I don’t understand on what basis the CM made such claims. Don’t blame others for your own mistakes. If there was any error on my part, let it be brought before the people,” he challenged Siddaramaiah.

Kumaraswamy argued that if any Waqf-related matters were dealt with during his tenure, Congress leaders were to blame. “The revenue minister at the time was Krishna Byre Gowda, and the Waqf minister is the same as the current one. If they acted without my knowledge, it’s on them, not on me. I have not permitted any illegal actions, nor have I engaged in politics over such issues.” Minister Krishna Byre Gowda holds the Revenue portfolio currently.

He added, “If I am unnecessarily dragged into this issue, I am ready to face it. I will not run away. A Chief Minister should not lie. Although he chants ‘Satyameva Jayate’ like a truth-seeker, he is going around spreading falsehoods every day,” he reacted angrily. Kumaraswamy further urged CM Siddaramaiah to speak with more accountability. He criticised Congress for dividing people along religious and caste lines. “This is the downfall of Congress; even AICC President Mallikarjun Kharge has acknowledged it. Their conduct is leading Congress to ruin,” he added.

–IANS

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The post Waqf Land Row: Farmers Will March To Karnataka CM’s Home If Issue Persists, Warns Kumaraswamy appeared first on The Commune.