'Pay rent or evacuate': Tamil Nadu villagers claim that their countries suddenly declared 'waqf' property by the local mosque | Today news

In Kaatukollai Village, Tamil Nadu, 150 families are distressed about notices demanding their land as WAQF property, and demand rent or eviction. They requested officials for intervention as unrest in India grows as a result of the controversial WAQF (Amendment Act), 2025. The residents of the Kaatukollai village under the Anaikattu Union (Vellore District), near Virinichipuram, said they had received about 3-4 generations in town. (Representative Beeld) Residents of Kaatukollai Village in Tamil Nadu’s Vellore district expressed concern about notices received from the authorities who administer a local mosque dargah, and declare their land as WAQF property. According to the WAQF property, residents are allegedly renting or evacuating the land, leading to widespread anxiety among about 150 families living all three to four generations in town. The residents requested Vell district collector VR subbulaxmi to seek intervention and justice. The residents of the Kaatukollai village under the Anaikattu Union (Vellore district), near Virinichipuram, said they live about 3-4 generations in town, and now, suddenly, they received notices. However, officials did not respond to calls for comment, and the content of the notices could not be verified independently. Violence of Murshidabad over the Waqf Act in the Murshidabad district in Western Bengal broke out violent clashes from April 8 to April 13 between protesters and police, leaving three deaths and ten injured. Demonstrators blocked the national highway 12, vandalized vehicles and disrupted train services at the Nimtita Railway Station. The violence further escalated with attacks on private residences and the office of the Trinamol Congress MP Khalilur Rahman. More than 200 arrests were made if the authorities imposed Article 144 and suspended internet services to restore the order. What is the WAQF act? The WAQF Act controls the administration of WAQF Properties -Conditions for Religious or Charity purposes in terms of Islamic legislation. The recent amendment has elicited controversy by expanding the supervision of the government and redefining property classifications, which according to critics violates community autonomy. Terms that allow the authorities to declare land as WAQF property without prior consultation have led to widespread protests, especially in minority-dominated regions. While proponents argue that the amendment ensures a better management of WAQF assets, the breakers consider it an overreaction that runs the risk of alienating the communities. Critics believe that the amended law control over WAQF properties central, leading to disputes over land ownership and minority rights. First published: 15 Apr 2025, 10:43 IST