Kolhapur: Hindu organisations allege Waqf Act promotes land jihad, demand repeal

• A large number of office bearers and activists of over 12 organisations and political parties mark their presence in the protest
• Office bearers and activists of various Hindu organisations participated in the protest at Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Putla Chowk

Kolhapur (Maharashtra): The Waqf Board has started the process of confiscating the assets of crores of rupees belonging to ‘The Mohammedan Education Society’ established in Kolhapur by Chhatrapati Rajarshi Shahu Maharaj for the education of Muslims and students from other communities. On one hand, the government is taking over properties of Hindu temples, and on the other this religious institution of the Muslims is usurping government as well as private property by misusing the law. Incensed Hindu organisations demanded that the Waqf Board should be stripped of all its draconian powers and brought under the control of the government and the unjust ‘Waqf Act’ which encourages ‘Land Jihad’ should be repealed immediately. This agitation was held at Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Putla Chowk on July 16.

Mr Anandrao Paval (Prant Upadhyaksha, Bhrashtachar Virodhi Janajagruti Samiti), Mr Ashish Lokhande (Kolhapur city administrator of Shree Shivpratisthan Hindustan), Shiv Sena Upazila Pramukh Mr Kishore Ghatge, Uddhav Thackeray Group Karveer Taluka Pramukh Mr Raju Yadav and Maharashtra and Chhattisgarh Rajya Sanghatak of Hindu Janajagruti Samiti Mr Sunil Ghanwat addressed the protestors.

Over 100 activists from 12 organisations including Mr Suresh Yadav (Kolhapur Jilha Karyavah, Shree Shivpratisthan Hindusthan), Mr. Sachin Mali (Bajrang Dal Hupari) Mr Nitin Chavan, Mr Sandeep Ghatge (Hindu Ekta Andolan), Mr Sharad Mali (Rashtrahit Pratishthan), and devout Hindus Messrs Rambhau Methe, Bhimrao Patil, Aditya Karade, Nitin Kakade, Charudatta Potdar, Ramesh Padwal, Sandeep Patil as well as Mr Manohar Sorap (Jilhadhyaksha, Hindu Mahasabha), Mr. Sanjay Kulkarni, Mr. Raju Toraskar, Mr Pramod Sawant (Shri Ambabai Bhakta Samiti), Messrs Kiran Duse, Madhukar Nazre, Shivanand Swamy of Hindu Janajagruti Samiti, Mrs Rajshree Tiwari (Ranragini Wing, HJS), Dr Mansingh Shinde (Sanatan Sanstha) attended the protests.

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Kolhapur: Waqf claims properties worth Rs 3500 cr of Mohamedan Education Society founded by Chhatrapati Rajarshi Shahu Maharaj

5th July 2023

The Mohamedan Education Society of Kolhapur and the assets it owned, worth Rs. 3,500 crores, have been taken over by the State Waqf Board. The said society was established by Chhatrapati Rajarshi Shahu Maharaj in the year 1906 and is also known as ‘The King Edward Mohamedan Education Society’ or the ‘Muslim Boarding’.

On June 23, the waqf board sent directives to the trustee of the organization, stating that after carefully examining the paperwork, it had determined that the institution was a waqf institution and that its assets belonged to the waqf. However, the Mohamedan Education Society’s officeholders assert that the organization is not governed by the waqf board.

According to the Times of India report, Waqf properties are essentially donated properties used for a variety of purposes. The Muslim Boarding has also received a registration certificate and registration number from the Waqf board. The organization had previously been authorized by the state charity commissioner.

“I was convinced of the documentary evidence submitted before me that showed that the properties under the Mohamedan Education Society are actually waqf properties, and they need to be governed as per the Waqf Act,1995. The evidence also includes the charters (sanads) issued by Shahu Maharaj. The strict restrictions on the sale and purchase of waqf properties are imposed by law,” Waqf’s chief executive officer M B Tashildar was quoted as saying.

The charters (sanads) that Shahu Maharaj issued are also included in the proof. The law imposes severe limitations on the sale and acquisition of waqf properties.

A committee overseen by a chairman conducts daily business for the Muslim Boarding. Activities related to religion and education are under the institution’s supervision. The authorities claim that these institutions are reluctant to register with the Waqf board because of its stringent rules.

The Waqf board has also sent a letter to the trustees of the Muslim Boarding requesting a list of its members, financial records, and other information. It even notified the state charity commissioner’s office about the change in registration and asserted that it would now have ownership rights to the assets, the TOI report stated.

However, the Mohamedan Education Society’s officeholders assert that the organization is not governed by the waqf board. They also say that it should remain independent because Chhatrapati Shahu Maharaj founded it with educational goals in mind.

The vice-chairman of the organization, Adil Faras, stated, “As per natural law, the waqf board should have issued a notice to the society about the change it has made. We have received no such notice. We will take the stand over the issue once the chairman and administrator of the society return from their haj pilgrimage.”

Source : OpIndia