Patna – A new controversy has erupted in Bihar over land ownership in Govindpur village near Patna. This comes on the heels of the ongoing land survey disputes in the state. The issue centers around a 9-decimal plot of land that the Sunni Waqf Board claims ownership of. The Board has sent six notices through the district administration to residents, asking them to vacate the land. Let’s take a closer look at what this conflict is all about.
The Land Dispute in Focus
The conflict over this 9-decimal piece of land in Govindpur village has now taken on political dimensions. Senior BJP leaders, including Sanjay Jaiswal, Union Minister Giriraj Singh, and Deputy Chief Minister Vijay Kumar Sinha, have visited the village, making it a high-profile issue. The BJP is questioning the validity of the Waqf Board’s claim, with party leaders strongly criticizing the move.
Political Reactions from BJP Leaders
BJP leader Sanjay Jaiswal spoke to the media, stating that the villagers have had possession of the land since 1969. He accused the Waqf Board of attempting to seize the land through underhanded means. According to Jaiswal, the board, with the help of its mutawalli (land managers), is trying to encroach on the land. Meanwhile, Irshad Ullah, Chairman of the Sunni Waqf Board, clarified in a media statement that the land in question belongs to the board, and six individuals, including three from the Hindu community, have illegally occupied it. The board has issued six notices demanding the land be vacated.
Claims and Counterclaims
The local residents dispute the Waqf Board’s claim, asserting that the land is legally theirs, with proper documentation to prove their ownership. They allege that the Board is unjustly harassing them. On the other hand, Waqf Board officials argue that possession will be determined by valid documentation. If anyone disagrees, they are free to take the matter to court.
Waqf Board’s Assets and Allegations of Land Encroachment
In Bihar, the Waqf Board controls a significant amount of land. The Sunni and Shia Waqf Boards combined own thousands of acres, with the Sunni Waqf Board possessing approximately 5,000 acres and the Shia Waqf Board owning about 25,000 bighas. According to the Waqf Board, around 30% of its land is currently occupied by illegal land mafias and even government bodies. Some notable properties under dispute include land in Kotwali Thana and the district magistrate’s residence in Patna, which the Waqf Board claims as its own.
A Broader Issue
Apart from the Govindpur dispute, the Waqf Board also asserts that land mafias have taken over 17 bighas of prime land on Fraser Road in Patna. The Supreme Court has already ruled in favor of the Waqf Board on this matter. Prominent intellectuals within the Muslim community believe that Waqf land should be used for the welfare of the people, rather than being encroached upon by land mafias.
Challenges for the Waqf Board
One of the main challenges facing the Waqf Board is its inability to sell its property. The land can only be leased for up to 30 years, and even then, tenants are required to pay rent based on the prevailing market rates. However, many people have been in possession of Waqf land for more than 50 years without paying the appropriate rent.
The Govindpur land dispute is just one example of the broader issues faced by the Waqf Board in managing its properties in Bihar. As political parties and local residents weigh in on the matter, it remains to be seen how the situation will unfold.
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