Residents of Anganakaundan Puthur, a village located in the Komarapalayam Panchayat of Sathyamangalam Circle in Erode District, are facing a distressing situation as the Waqf Board asserts ownership over the land that was allotted to them by the government more than four decades ago. The land, which had been provided to the Arunthathiyar community (Scheduled Caste), is now subject to a conflict between the community and the Waqf Board.
In the year 1980, the Tamil Nadu government allocated replacement land, amounting to three-and-a-half acres, to 73 families of the Arunthathiyar community in Anganakaundan Puthur, after they were affected by flooding. The Adi Dravidar Welfare Department had granted each family 3 cents of land to build homes. These families have been living on this land for 40 years, establishing a thriving community known as Periyar Nagar.
However, their sense of security and ownership has been shattered by recent developments. The Waqf Board, an institution responsible for managing properties donated for religious or charitable purposes under Islamic law, is now claiming ownership of the land in question. As a result, the affected residents are encountering numerous challenges, including obstacles in transferring land titles, registering deeds, and availing loans for housing construction.
Pandian, a resident of the village, explained the plight of the community members. “We were given this land by the Adi Dravidar Welfare Department after we were displaced by floods. We have lived here for 40 years, built our homes, and even named our settlement.”
He added, “In this situation, a few days ago, when one of the residents passed away and his son attempted to transfer the land’s title to his name, authorities instructed him to obtain the deed from the registration department. Upon visiting the Sathyamangalam registration office, they informed him that the land on which his house stood was under the ownership of the Waqf Board. They further advised him to secure a clearance certificate from the Waqf Board to proceed with the title change.”
“Now, due to the Waqf Board’s claim, our basic rights are being denied. We cannot sell our houses, get loans, or even continue the construction of houses under government schemes,” he said.
These affected individuals, who are part of the Arunthathiyar community, sustain themselves through daily wage labor and participation in the Central government’s MNREGA program. The revelation that the Waqf board is asserting ownership over the land they have inhabited for over four decades has left them shocked and in deep distress.
In light of this situation, the local populace has submitted petitions to various government officials, including those from the Revenue Department and Gobi RTO. Despite actively pursuing a resolution for more than six months, no concrete steps have been taken by the Tamil Nadu government or the registration department to address the matter. The affected people find themselves stranded, uncertain about the appropriate authorities to approach next in order to seek redress for their grievances.
The Hindu Tamil quoted a revenue department official who acknowledged the issue, stating, “The problem with the Waqf Board’s claim of ownership is widespread in the district. The Registration Department is working in accordance with the directives of the Waqf Board. Efforts are being made to compile accurate information about Waqf Board-owned lands in Erode District to resolve this issue in stages.”
In this situation, the Hindu Munnani has strongly criticized the DMK government’s role in facilitating the Waqf Board’s appropriation of land owned by the Arunthathiyar community. In a recent tweet, the Hindu Munnani expressed, “There are indications that the Waqf Board intends to take control of the land that was rightfully allocated by the government to the residents near Sathyamangalam and potentially settle members of the Muslim community there. Does the Dravidian model government endorse these actions of the Waqf Board? We will not remain passive observers if the Waqf Board, enjoying the backing of the DMK government, endeavors to encroach upon Hindu lands, temples, and state-owned properties. The government should take measures to restore the lands seized by the Waqf Board.”
சத்தியமங்கலம் அருகே மக்களுக்கு அரசு வழங்கிய பட்டா நிலங்களை அபகரித்து அங்கு இஸ்லாமியர்களை குடியமர்த்த வக்பு வாரியம் நினைப்பது போல் தெரிகிறது.
வக்பு போர்டின் ஆக்டோபஸ் கரங்களால் செய்யும் நில அபகரிப்பு செயல்களுக்கு துணை நிற்பது தான் திராவிட மாடல் அரசா?
சிறுபான்மையினர் என்றாலே… pic.twitter.com/gYkOhagmKm
— Hindu Munnani (@hindumunnani_tn) August 9, 2023
(with inputs from Hindu Tamil)
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