While violent protests against the Waqf Amendment Law are taking place in several places like West Bengal and Tripura, a contrasting incident has emerged from Panna district in Madhya Pradesh. There, a madrasa operating illegally on government land was voluntarily demolished by its own operator. While in Uttarakhand, Shadab Shams, the Uttarakhand Waqf Board Chairman, presented a chadar at a dargah in favor of the new law, stating that it will usher in good times for poor Muslims.
The madrasa in question had been running illegally on government land in BD Colony of Panna for the last 30 years, reports said. Following the enactment of the Waqf Amendment Law, a complaint was filed against this illegal construction by Abdul Hameed alias Bati, the district president of the Waqf Board, and a person named Salim Khan. Local MP VD Sharma was also reportedly among those who raised the issue.
After receiving these complaints, the administration issued a notice to the madrasa operators. Upon receiving the notice, the operator himself arranged for laborers and a bulldozer, and began demolishing the madrasa on Saturday, April 12, 2025. A video of the demolition has also surfaced.
मध्यप्रदेश के पन्ना में अवैध मदरसे के खिलाफ प्रशासन सख्त, प्रशासन ने दिया 3 दिन का अल्टीमेटम — अब कोई रियायत नहीं..!#PannaNews #IllegalMadrasa #WaqfJihad #LandJihad #BreakingNews #MP pic.twitter.com/9FFoqBXEMo
— Sudarshan News (@SudarshanNewsTV) April 12, 2025
Local officials stated that after the complaint was received, a notice was served and preparations for official action were underway. However, before the administration could intervene, the operators took the initiative and dismantled the structure themselves.
It is reported that the madrasa had been served multiple notices over the years, which were ignored by the operators. After the recent legal amendments, a stricter notice was issued, prompting the operator to voluntarily demolish the madrasa.
Madrasa operator Abdul Rauf Qadri claimed that he initially had permission from the local village council. However, the area now falls under municipal jurisdiction, which rendered the construction illegal. He also mentioned that the matter had been pending in court for a long time, but due to recent legal changes and the latest notice, he decided to take down the madrasa.
Chadar Offered at Dargah in Support of Waqf Amendment Law
Meanwhile, in Uttarakhand, Waqf Board Chairman Shadab Shams offered a chadar at the revered Piran Kaliyar Sharif Dargah in Haridwar to show support for the Waqf Amendment Law. After offering chadar, he said the new bill is in the interest of Muslims. He said, “Prime Minister Modi has kept his word, and the Waqf Amendment Bill is now an Act. Better times are ahead for poor Muslims. We thanked him at the dargah and wished him long life.”
#WATC | Haridwar: Uttarakhand Waqf Board Chairman Shadab Shams says, “PM Modi fulfilled his promise and the Waqf Amendment Bill is an act now. We now hope that Muslims’ better days are coming ahead. We offered gratitude in this Dargah today and prayed for his long life…” pic.twitter.com/Jw2GanJ91s
— ANI (@ANI) April 12, 2025
He also added, “Certain political Muslims are attempting to lead people astray by protesting. This is the response to them—whereas they were burning Modi and the government’s effigies, people in most places were saying thank you.”. The government is moving forward in a positive direction. The coming times will be much better for Muslims.”
Shams also outlined the benefits of the new Waqf law, saying, “What didn’t happen in 75 years will now happen. Better universities, hospitals, and schools will be built on Waqf land. Homeless Muslims will be given homes on Waqf land.”
