From British Rule to Modern India: Waqf Administration & Its Systematic Encroachment
Since the Waqf Amendment Bill, 2024 was tabled in Parliament, discussions on various aspects of Waqf have intensified. With the bill now back in discussion after being reviewed by the Joint Parliamentary Committee (JPC) and amid nationwide protests by Muslim organisations, one issue stands at the center of contention—the encroachment of Waqf properties.
But what lies at the heart of these debates? To truly grasp their significance, we must delve into the historical and political forces shaping this discourse.
A common narrative pushed by right-wing groups and the government claims that Waqf Boards have unlimited power to declare any land as Waqf. But is this really true? Who are the real encroachers of Waqf properties?
In this video, we break down:
The historical administration of Waqf in India—from Muslim rule to British rule to Independent India
The systematic encroachment of Waqf lands by state institutions and private entities
How the calls for transparency and reforms are being used as a tool to take control of Waqf properties
The evidence tells a different story—one where state institutions, along with other vested interests, have been the biggest occupiers of Waqf lands. The push for so-called reforms is less about accountability and more about tightening state control over Waqf properties.
Watch this video for a nuanced understanding that cuts through the propaganda and exposes the real power struggle behind the Waqf administration in India.
