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.
