Decisions made without the Waqf Board’s consent could result in handing over precious lands to outsiders, reviving painful memories of past land grabs and government overreach
HYDERABAD — The Telangana government’s recent intervention in the affairs of the state Waqf Board has sparked serious alarm among Muslim leaders and organisations. There are growing concerns that unauthorised decisions taken without the consent or presence of the Board’s chairman or members could lead to the loss of valuable Waqf properties and undermine the autonomous status of this vital institution.
At the heart of the controversy lies the handling of the Garden View Waqf property, located adjacent to the Hajj House in Hyderabad. Reports suggest that decisions about completing or leasing this property have been made in government-led review meetings that excluded the Waqf Board’s leadership.
According to experts and Waqf officials, the Telangana Waqf Board alone holds the legal authority under Waqf laws to manage and decide the fate of its properties. Yet, recent actions by government officials are widely seen as attempts to bypass the Board’s powers, causing considerable unease within the Muslim community.
A senior member of the Telangana Waqf Board, speaking on condition of anonymity, stated, “There is no justification for taking decisions in a meeting held in the absence of the chairman or members of the Waqf Board. These actions undermine the Board’s authority and threaten our sacred properties.”
This situation has revived painful memories of past land acquisitions during the Telugu Desam Party (TDP) rule in united Andhra Pradesh. During that period, Waqf properties worth crores of rupees were allegedly transferred through state agencies like the Andhra Pradesh Industrial Infrastructure Corporation Limited to multinational corporations, often without proper consultation or consent. Legal challenges followed but the Waqf Board suffered significant losses.
A prominent Muslim community leader in Hyderabad said, “The government’s current approach painfully reminds us of the Telugu Desam era, when our Waqf lands were taken away in the name of development. We cannot allow history to repeat itself.”
The Telangana government has so far not clarified its stance regarding the implementation of the recent Waqf Act in the state. This omission raises concerns about whether the state government’s actions signal an attempt to impose central control over Waqf institutions, which traditionally enjoy a degree of autonomy.
Legal experts have also issued warnings. A lawyer specialising in Waqf law remarked, “The Waqf Board is an autonomous institution by law, and state governments have no right to intervene in its decisions. Any such interference risks legal challenge and the potential loss of property to private interests.”
The Telangana Waqf Board chairman, when approached for comment, declined to speak directly but, via a spokesperson, expressed the Board’s grave concern over the unauthorised decisions. “The Board is reviewing its legal options to safeguard Waqf properties and uphold its autonomy,” the spokesperson said.
Muslim organisations across Telangana have united in calling for respect for the Waqf Board’s statutory powers. A community activist emphasised, “The Waqf Board’s properties are a trust for the welfare and development of the Muslim community. We urge the government to cease interference and allow the Board to function independently as mandated by law.”
The ongoing dispute has heightened tensions as both the Waqf Board and Telangana government officials seek a way forward. The wider Muslim community and legal observers are watching closely, hopeful that the heritage and rights of Indian Muslims will be preserved and protected from improper governmental overreach.
