During an internal survey, the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) has found that 250 monuments protected by it are currently listed as Waqf properties. This is expected to be placed before the Joint Parliamentary Committee, which is scrutinizing the Waqf (Amendment) Bill, 2024. The ASI is looking to regain control over the properties.
Sources indicate that the list includes, as of now, a number of monuments reported in the 2006 Sachar Committee report on the Social, Economic, and Educational Status of the Muslim Community of India, which had noted “Waqf properties in India under unauthorized possession of ASI.
Out of the 172 places listed in the report, not all are protected monuments of national importance. But included are some of the significant structures within Delhi, such as the Jama Masjid at Ferozeshah Kotla, Chhoti Gumti Makbara in RK Puram, Hauz Khas Masjid, and Idgah, according to sources.
Archaeological Survey of India finds 250 protected monuments registered as Waqf properties. Many of them unilaterally https://t.co/UZKdVhPlNe
— Padmaja Joshi (@PadmajaJoshi) December 9, 2024
The number reported by the ASI in the fourth meeting of JPC in September was 120. The agencies asked for reports from various circles on this issue. Now this figure has been raised up to 250. The Waqf Board unilaterally registered these monuments as Waqf Properties and, thus several such monuments have become the target of vested interest groups.
The ASI made a presentation at the September JPC meeting that addressed the difficulties the agency had been encountering in protecting and conserving Waqf controlled monuments and sites.
The unilateral execution of these acts is the second point of contention between the Waqf Board and ASI. According to the Waqf Act of 1995, the Board has all rights to declare any property or building as Waqf property for charitable purposes. Utilizing this authority, the Board has given notifications declaring protected monuments as Waqf properties, puts it in direct clash with the rights generated under the Ancient Monuments and Archaeological Sites and Remains Act (AMASR) of 1958.
