In a letter to Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh on Jul. 30, BJP President Nitin Gadkari highlighted the hundreds of acres of Waqf land that has allegedly been grabbed illegally.

He claimed there were nearly half a million registered Waqf properties throughout India.

"The Waqf properties are estimated to cover around six lakh acres, which according to government values 50 years ago was worth Rs. 6,000 crore. A large majority of the Waqf properties are situated in heart of the cities, and are worth many times more today.”

Gadkari suggested annual returns from the Wafq properties would be beneficial for the economic and social development of the Muslim community.

“This is not happening because political parties and its leaders as well as others who speak of secularism have illegally and through other means grabbed these Waqf properties,” he said.

"It's well known that according to Muslim tradition, if anyone contributes one percent of his or her earnings, then this is considered as a pious act. This is called Waqf. Profits earned from these donated properties are meant to fulfill the needs of poor and needy people."

He suggested that money generated from Waqf properties could be utilized for social welfare, development and also for providing loans to members of the Muslim community.

“The money from the Waqf properties can be utilized for opening employment generating institutions like engineering and medical colleges and industrial training institutes," Gadkari added.

The BJP chief also suggested to the prime minister that funds from the Waqf could also be used for opening educational institutions, hostels, scholarships and sports activities.

He added that proceeds from the properties could fund coaching classes for Muslim youths wanting to break into the competitive Indian Administrative Services (IAS).

He also suggested that Waqf property money could help toward the construction of Haj houses and marriage halls as well as maintaining mosques, shrines, graveyards and other Waqf properties.

Gadkari called for exempting Waqf properties from the Rent Control Act so that more earnings can be generated, providing financial assistance for widows and exploring new employment opportunities for them, as well as extending financial help to the poor and physically challenged, conducting marriages for poor girls and taking care of divorcees.

The money could also be used to pay muezzins according to the Supreme Court of India orders, Gadkari said.

He urged the prime minister to take immediate steps to end the illegal encroachments of all Waqf properties in the country.

"I have urged all chief ministers of BJP-ruled states to take immediate steps in the issue that I have highlighted to you in this letter and I hope that the federal government too would take initiative in this direction," Gadkari concluded in his letter to Singh.