Lucknow: Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath’s recent remarks against the Waqf Board, accusing it of “encroaching” on public lands, have drawn sharp criticism from the Muslim community and legal experts. His statement, made amid the debate over the Waqf (Amendment) Bill 2025, has been seen as an attempt to undermine the historical and legal rights of waqf properties, many of which have served religious and charitable purposes for centuries.
The Waqf (Amendment) Bill 2025, which was passed in the Lok Sabha and is now under discussion in the Rajya Sabha, has sparked fear among Muslims, who see it as another step towards stripping their institutions of their rightful assets. Community leaders argue that waqf properties were established through legally documented endowments for the welfare of society, particularly for education, healthcare, and religious practices.
Legal experts and historians assert that waqf lands have been recognized by the Constitution and protected under existing laws. “The claim that waqf properties are ‘encroachments’ is misleading and an attempt to delegitimize Muslim heritage,” said a senior legal expert. Many fear that such narratives are being pushed to justify the illegal acquisition of waqf properties under the guise of government control.
Muslim organizations have condemned Yogi Adityanath’s statement, accusing the government of targeting minority institutions under the pretext of reform. They have demanded that the state ensure transparency in land surveys and respect the historical and religious significance of waqf endowments.
As protests grow against the bill, many in the Muslim community see this as part of a broader pattern of institutionalized discrimination. With the Rajya Sabha set to discuss the bill, voices are rising in defense of waqf properties, calling for a just and fair resolution that respects minority rights.
