Massive Land Dispute Erupts in Maharashtra as Waqf Board Targets Ancestral Property of 100+ Farmers

Mumbai (The Uttam Hindu): A massive land dispute in Maharashtra's Latur district has put over 100 farmers in direct conflict with the Maharashtra Waqf Board, which is claiming ownership of 300 acres of land long cultivated by these farmers. The farmers argue that the land has been passed down through generations and should not fall under Waqf control, which is designated for religious or charitable purposes under Islamic law.

The dispute has escalated to the Maharashtra State Waqf Tribunal in Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar, with farmers, led by Tukaram Kanwate, seeking government intervention. Two hearings have already taken place, with the next one scheduled for December 20. BJP leaders are weighing in on the matter, blaming the previous Congress government for empowering the Waqf Board, which they argue is at the center of such disputes.

Meanwhile, a nationwide debate continues following the introduction of the Waqf (Amendment) Bill in August 2024, aimed at reforming Waqf operations and property management. This dispute, though local to Maharashtra, is part of a larger pattern of similar clashes across India, with farmers in Karnataka and Kerala also protesting Waqf claims on their ancestral farmlands. As the legal battle continues, farmers remain anxious about the future of their livelihoods and the fate of their ancestral lands.