Chairman Khanu Khan Budhwali highlights intensive efforts amid technical issues, revenue department errors, and alleged encroachments; calls for equal policy treatment for all religious sites
JAIPUR – The Rajasthan Waqf Board is stepping up efforts to register more than 8,000 remaining Waqf properties on the central UMEED (Unified Waqf Management, Empowerment, Efficiency and Development) portal before the extended deadline of March 22. This comes as part of a nationwide push to digitalise and protect Waqf assets, including mosques, dargahs, graveyards (kabristan), and khanqahs, through geo-tagged records.
According to Rajasthan Waqf Board Chairman Khanu Khan Budhwali, the board’s team is working day and night across the state to meet the target. “Our team is working day and night throughout the state so that all Waqf properties get registered on the portal in time,” he said. He noted that public engagement had slowed after the portal’s launch, which delayed the overall process. “People had high expectations from the UMEED portal, but after its launch, public activity decreased, which slowed down the process,” Budhwali added.
So far, around 11,000 Waqf properties have been successfully registered on the portal in Rajasthan, while over 8,000 are still pending. Budhwali appealed for greater cooperation from local communities. “If local people cooperate in registering cemeteries, mosques, dargahs, and khanqahs in their areas, this process could be completed much faster,” he stated.
The chairman pointed to several challenges hindering progress. He alleged irregularities in revenue department records, particularly at the patwari and tehsildar levels, including cases where a single khasra (plot) has been divided incorrectly. “In many places, mistakes by the revenue department and corruption at lower levels have led to discrepancies in Waqf property records,” Budhwali said. He gave an example from Alwar district, where such divisions have been reported.
Budhwali also raised concerns over attempts to demolish or encroach on Waqf properties that are already recorded in government surveys. “Many Waqf properties are being attempted to be demolished, even though they are already registered as Waqf in government surveys,” he claimed. He mentioned that letters have been sent by the chief secretary, principal secretary, and other senior officials to district administrations directing compliance, but these are not always followed. “If any officer ignores government orders, action should be taken against them,” he emphasised.
To safeguard these assets, district-level committees have been formed to monitor Waqf properties. The board’s top priority remains completing registrations by March 22 to ensure records are secure.
On a broader note, Budhwali questioned the state’s approach to religious properties. He noted reports that the government is preparing legislation to allow leasing of temple lands. “If temples are to be given on lease, then why shouldn’t mosques, dargahs, gurdwaras, churches, and Buddhist sites get the same rights?” he asked. He stressed the need for parity. “If the government truly values equality, it should make the same policy for religious sites of all faiths,” Budhwali said.
The UMEED portal, managed by the Ministry of Minority Affairs, aims to create a transparent national database. While national deadlines passed in late 2025 with extensions and tribunal involvement for pending cases, Rajasthan continues focussed efforts under state-specific timelines to protect the Muslim community endowments from potential disputes or mismanagement.
