The dispute over the 40-acre land between Waqf Board and Kanifnath Temple Trust raises questions over property rights and historic claims
Team Clarion
AHMEDNAGAR — A 40-acre land dispute in Ahmednagar, Maharashtra, has sparked discussions over religious and property rights, as the Waqf Board claims ownership of the land surrounding the Kanifnath Temple, which it asserts belongs to a historic dargah. The land was officially registered under the Waqf Act in 2005, a legal designation meant to protect Islamic heritage properties. However, recent claims from the temple trust have brought the Waqf Board’s longstanding role in safeguarding Muslim community properties into focus.
The Waqf Board, entrusted with preserving religious and cultural sites, highlights that its mission includes upholding the integrity of historically significant properties, particularly those with strong community ties. An official from the Board commented, “Our mission is to protect Waqf properties under the law, to serve the community’s best interests. We have established legal rights to this land, and we believe it should be preserved and used in ways that honour its historic purpose and community value.”
The Board’s claim is supported by records that trace the dargah’s association with the land back to the pre-colonial era, with documents from the British period further substantiating its historical link. According to Waqf Board representatives, these longstanding ties are the foundation of the land’s Waqf designation, an essential element for cultural preservation and community identity.
The issue gained public attention when the Waqf Board installed a sign asserting its ownership, a move that local Muslims view as an essential step in defending their religious heritage. “This land is a part of our religious heritage, and the Waqf Board’s actions are essential for safeguarding our rights,” expressed a community member, reflecting the collective sentiment among Ahmednagar’s Muslim residents.
Support for the Waqf Board’s stance has grown, with many seeing the dispute as part of a broader effort to defend Islamic heritage sites and Waqf properties across the nation. For Ahmednagar’s Muslim community, this legal contest represents not only a question of ownership but a commitment to preserving a vital cultural and religious legacy.
In recent years, incidents of encroachment on Waqf lands have spotlighted the importance of respecting historical properties that embody religious and cultural values for minority communities. For the Muslim community in Ahmednagar, the outcome of this case will serve as a critical precedent, underscoring the necessity of legal safeguards for Waqf properties across India.
