Waqf act 2025: Yogi, Dhami launches crackdown on illegal properties in UP, Uttarakhand
As the Waqf Act 2025 has come into effect, strong action has begun in UP and Uttarakhand. The governments of Yogi and Dhami have issued directives to probe illegal Waqf properties. Preparations for action have been strengthened on the government land which was possessed by the Waqf up until now.
The moment the Waqf Bill is enacted into law, tough action has been initiated against illegal Waqf properties in Bharatiya Janata Party-ruled states. Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath and Uttarakhand Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami are in full action mode regarding this issue. Both the states have initiated the process of identifying and re-acquiring illegal waqf properties. So far, a serious inquiry has begun into the government land on which the Waqf had purportedly made illegally. UP and Uttarakhand governments have issued clear directives that these properties will be retrieved and utilized in public interest activities. This move can be a significant shift in the times to come to prevent occupation culture under the guise of Waqf.
Yogi government's big announcement
The figure of illegally occupied government property under Waqf in Uttar Pradesh is significant. Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath has said that action will be taken in every such case after an investigation. The properties thus seized will be utilized for the betterment of the common public.
Dhami government in Uttarakhand also strengthens its grip
Out of 5,388 Waqf properties in Uttarakhand, a mere 2,147 are registered while 3,241 are not. Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami has issued very clear instructions that all the Waqf Board's properties will be probed and whatever illegal will be seized and utilized in public interest.
Alarming accusation of Waqf in Aligarh
A stunning Waqf claim has surfaced in Aligarh district of Uttar Pradesh. The Waqf Board has claimed the Achal Talab region, a Hindu-dominated region where over 50 ancient temples stand, as a graveyard and asserted a claim over it. The region is connected with centuries-old Sanatan faith but was entered as a graveyard in Waqf documents.
The Achal Sarovar region of Aligarh is said to be linked with the era of Mahabharata. The fixed pond and temple of Lord Shiva here are of mythological importance. In spite of this, the Waqf Board proclaimed this whole place as its property. Temple priest Mahant Kaushalnath stated, "The years-old temple goes back to the era of the Waqf, but the whole Aligarh Waqf has named itself after the DM's house."
Truth exposed in administration's probe
A total of 1,768 Waqf properties in the district were probed, of which 1,216 properties were government-owned, Aligarh District Magistrate Pankaj Kumar said. In the probe carried out in Kol tehsil, 245 of the 632 properties turned out to be government-owned. The administration has presented its report to the state government in this matter and proceedings for further action are being readied.
