Waqf Board usurps 57 acres of Hindu farmers land [ Tamil Nadu, India ]

[ Reported as seen ]

The Tamil Nadu Waqf Board, usurped 57 acres of a Hindu farmers land near Vellore. The incident reportedly occurred recently in the Veppur hamlet in the Arcot Union in Ranipet District, near Vellore, Tamil Nadu.

According to T.V. Rajesh, the Ranipet district president of Hindu Munnani, DMK Minister R. Gandhi and the district collector deceptively took away the agricultural lands of Hindu farmers without notice. Strong objection from the respective families could not budge him from taking away heir lands.

T.V. Rajesh said, “In the 1900s, a land parcel of nearly 57 acres was held by one Wahab and divided among his four wives, who, after his death, mortgaged it to Hindus and failed to pay the amount they took from them. A case related to this was decided in favour of the Hindus in Chengalpet court, and pattas were issued to them. They had been farming there for the last forty or fifty years. This 57-acre parcel of land is now owned by nearly 30 families.”

“Ranipet MLA and Tamil Nadu Minister Gandhi, a District Collector armed with police and revenue officials, descended on the village without following due process of law and issuing notices, only to inform them that the lands are Waqf properties. They have no authority over them,” Rajesh added.

He also said that the poor farmers implored authorities to reverse their decision but failed.

“In a video, villagers can be seen pleading with authorities and ministers to reconsider their decision. Some even begged the authorities because it is their sole source of income. Some have even questioned the illegal action, stating that they are prepared to submit documents if permitted, and have requested a meeting with authorities. The words and wailing of the helpless Hindus fall on deaf ears. Another minority appeasement measure,” TV Rajesh added.

In the video a government official is heard saying, “I don’t know in whose name the lands were till yesterday or the day before yesterday. But today the land is under the control of the Waqf Board. Since it is under Waqf Board, they’ve asked us to survey the land.”

BJP national secretary H. Raja pointed at how the DMK government took over 56 acres of Hindu land in Veppur village and turned it over to the Waqf Board.

He also said that when he visited the farmers, they had to obtained the properties through the courts from the four wives of one Wahab who had failed to repay his debts. “Wahab was altered as Waqf by the TN authorities after which the Waqf Board asserted claim on these properties, said H Raja, calling it a huge scam.