A dispute has emerged over the ongoing survey of Waqf Board properties in Madhya Pradesh, with Congress MLA Arif Masood demanding its immediate halt. Masood, who represents the Bhopal Madhya Assembly seat, has written to Madhya Pradesh Chief Secretary Anurag Jain, expressing concerns about the accuracy and implications of the survey.
Masood argued that the documentation of many Waqf properties remains incomplete, making the survey process problematic and potentially contentious. He accused the state government of presenting incorrect data under the pretext of the survey and warned that it could lead to future disputes.
“Documents of various Waqf Board properties are incomplete, making it difficult to conduct an accurate survey. This could create major conflicts. I have written to the Chief Secretary, urging the government to stop this survey,” Masood told IANS.
He also called upon representatives of Muslim organizations to oppose the survey and formally register their objections with district administrations.
Responding to these concerns, Madhya Pradesh Public Works Department (PWD) Minister and senior BJP leader Rakesh Singh defended the survey, stating that it is being conducted based on recommendations from the Joint Parliamentary Committee (JPC). He dismissed allegations of misinformation, asserting that the initiative aims to remove encroachments and curb corruption within Waqf institutions.
“Some individuals are politicizing this issue for their own benefit. This survey is intended to bring transparency and accountability to Waqf properties. While a few people are opposing it, the majority of the minority community has welcomed it,” Singh remarked.
The JPC has recently sought detailed information on Waqf properties in Madhya Pradesh, including their current status, khasra numbers, and other relevant records. The state government has been asked to provide details on cases where legal disputes exist between Waqf boards and state authorities over ownership or possession of properties.
Madhya Pradesh Waqf Board Chairman Sanwar Patel confirmed that the JPC has requested information under 15 specific categories, 12 of which directly relate to the Waqf Board, while the remaining are associated with the Collector and the Revenue Department.
According to official records, the Madhya Pradesh government informed the JPC that the State Waqf Board oversees 14,921 registered properties, covering approximately 52,752 acres of land. The survey’s findings and its potential impact on Waqf assets continue to be a subject of heated debate.
