Bhopal: Waqf Sits Over Properties Of Tribal People, Say BJP Leaders

Bhopal (Madhya Pradesh): Waqf has illegally occupied the properties of tribal people. But their rights on such properties will be restored. The BJP ST Morcha discussed the issue at a meeting on Saturday.

At a time when the Supreme Court is hearing the Waqf case, the BJP ST Morcha hurled a volley of allegations at the Waqf Board by holding a meeting.

BJP’s state unit president VD Sharma said how many properties Waqf had occupied. Sharma said the government was putting up its points before the apex court on the issue.

He said they party was making efforts to send out a clear message among the ST people about the Waqf Amendment Bill. The Waqf used to claim lands in tribal areas as its own, forcing the people to fight endless legal battle, he said.

The ST people have to prove in the court that the properties belong to them, he said. The Waqf Bord laid its claim even to the Parliament House, Sharma said.

A few Muslim residents from Panna said an illegal Madrasa had been under constructed in the name of Waqf, he said. In the name of Waqf, some criminals have occupied properties, Sharma said. According to him, all political parties discussed the issue in JPC.

Tribal welfare minister Vijay Shah said Waqf had eight lakh properties, but only 1,000 were registered. The tribal people will get back their properties illegally occupied by Waqf, Shah said.

Union ministers DD Uike, Savitri Thakur and several leaders of the BJP belonging to the ST category were present at the meeting.