Waqf Land Row: Kanpur Survey Reveals Shocking Extent of Encroachments upon Hindu & Govt lands.

Waqf Board claims 1,670 properties, many of those are of Hindus, 548 on government land in UP’s Kanpur: Survey.

Upendra Bharti | HENB | Kanpur | Jan 19, 2025:: A comprehensive three-month survey of Waqf properties in Kanpur, Uttar Pradesh, has been completed, revealing significant findings. The survey identified a total of 1,670 Waqf properties, many of which were allegedly occupied by encroaching on Hindu-owned land. Notably, over 500 of these properties are built on government land.

The survey, conducted across all four tehsils of Kanpur, yielded the following results:

– Sadar tehsil: 914 properties under the Sunni Waqf Board and 34 under the Shia Waqf Board
– Ghatampur tehsil: 189 Waqf properties
– Bilhaur tehsil: 388 Waqf properties
– Narwal tehsil: 144 Waqf properties

These findings are likely to have significant implications for the management and regulation of Waqf properties in the region.

A total of 548 Waqf properties, comprising mosques, graveyards, and mausoleums, are situated on government land. The survey’s findings indicate that approximately 80% of these properties serve religious purposes, including mosques, cemeteries, and shrines. Following the submission of a detailed report by the Kanpur district administration to the state government, a Joint Parliamentary Committee will review the findings and determine the future course of action.

A survey of Waqf properties in Uttar Pradesh was conducted in 2021, but it was met with significant opposition and ultimately suspended. However, the survey was resumed after Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath directed the removal of illegal encroachments and the reclamation of Waqf land.

This time around, the survey identified 548 government-owned properties spanning 89 hectares. These properties were found to be under the control of Waqf authorities, with many being used for religious purposes such as mosques, cemeteries, and shrines.

Pawan Kumar, Minority Welfare Officer, confirmed that a report has been prepared based on the survey’s findings and will be forwarded to the state government for further action. The survey’s results are expected to inform the government’s efforts to reclaim Waqf land and remove illegal encroachments.

The revelation of massive illegal Waqf encroachments in Kanpur, Uttar Pradesh, has sparked a heated debate about the Waqf Amendment Act. This Act is currently being reviewed by a parliamentary committee led by MP Jagdambika Pal. The proposed amendments aim to revamp the governance and management of Waqf properties in India.

Some key changes proposed in the Waqf (Amendment) Bill, 2024, include allowing non-Muslim members in the Central Waqf Council and State Waqf Boards, and removing the requirement for the Chief Executive Officer to be a Muslim. The Bill also seeks to change the composition of Waqf Tribunals, which adjudicate disputes related to Waqf properties.

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__Inputs from Agencies.