Team Clarion
MUMBAI – A notice issued by the Aurangabad Waqf Tribunal to 103 farmers in Latur has sparked political and social tensions. The Maharashtra Waqf Board’s claim that the 300-acre land these farmers cultivate is Waqf property has led to legal disputes and political manoeuvring. Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) chief Raj Thackeray has seized the opportunity to press for the immediate passage of the Waqf Amendment Bill, amplifying the issue.
The Waqf Board notice, sent on 30 May 2024, reportedly informed the farmers that their farmland in Latur’s Ahmedpur and Tala Gaon regions is officially Waqf property and must be vacated. The matter is being reviewed in the Aurangabad Waqf Tribunal, with the next hearing scheduled for 20 December.
Disputing the Waqf Board’s claim, the farmers maintain that they have been cultivating the land for generations.
Farmer Takaram Kanote stated, “We have been farming this land for decades, and the Waqf Board’s assertion is incorrect. We have submitted ownership documents to the tribunal.”
Kanote and others have appealed to the Maharashtra government to intervene and protect their rights. “The farmers are living in fear due to this notice,” Kanote added.
Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde addressed the controversy, stating that no injustice would be allowed under his administration. “This is a government of the people, and we will ensure justice for all,” he assured when questioned about the issue.
Meanwhile, Maharashtra Waqf Board Chairman Sameer Qazi clarified that the notice did not come directly from the State Waqf Board but was issued by the tribunal following a private petition by one Irfan Patel Syed. “The State Waqf Board will review the matter when it comes before us,” Qazi stated, adding that no direct claims have been made on Latur land by the board.
MNS leader Raj Thackeray has drawn public attention to the issue, accusing the Waqf Board of overreach and demanding immediate legislative action. He tweeted, “The Waqf Board has claimed 75% of the land being farmed by these villagers for years. This is not just about Latur; the Waqf Board is asserting rights over lands across the state.”
Thackeray criticised the delay in passing the Waqf Amendment Bill, claiming it would curb such disputes. “The Modi government must approve this bill in the next session to protect farmers and resolve such issues,” he said, calling attention to earlier opposition to the Bill by Muslim MPs and organisations.
The Aurangabad Tribunal is expected to weigh the farmers’ submissions and the Waqf Board’s claims. As the issue plays out in the legal arena, political figures like Thackeray appear to be using it to advance their agendas.
The Waqf Board, which oversees properties designated for charitable and religious purposes under Islamic law, holds a sensitive position in such disputes. Observers note that while legal resolution is crucial, the involvement of politicians can escalate tensions unnecessarily.
The farmers of Latur await clarity, hoping their voices will be heard amidst political posturing and legal proceedings. As Shinde remarked, “The law will be followed, and fairness will prevail.”
