Which Hindu sites have been claimed under Wakf after 2013 amendments to the Wakf Act?

The issue of Wakf claims over Hindu sites, particularly after the 2013 amendments to the Wakf Act, has been a subject of controversy and legal disputes in India. While the Wakf Boards are responsible for managing properties dedicated for religious or charitable purposes in Islam, there have been instances where Wakf Boards have claimed ownership or control over sites that are traditionally considered Hindu or are of mixed religious significance. Here are some notable cases and examples:

1. Kashi Vishwanath Temple-Gyanvapi Mosque Dispute

• Location: Varanasi, Uttar Pradesh
• Details: The Gyanvapi Mosque, which is adjacent to the Kashi Vishwanath Temple, has been a site of long-standing dispute. While the mosque is under the control of the Uttar Pradesh Sunni Central Wakf Board, there have been claims and counterclaims regarding the ownership of the land on which the mosque stands. The Hindu side argues that the mosque was built on the site of a demolished Hindu temple, and after the 2013 amendments, there were renewed efforts to assert control over this site.

2. Krishna Janmabhoomi-Shahi Idgah Mosque Dispute

• Location: Mathura, Uttar Pradesh
• Details: The Krishna Janmabhoomi (birthplace of Lord Krishna) and the adjacent Shahi Idgah Mosque in Mathura have also been the subject of legal disputes. Similar to the Kashi Vishwanath-Gyanvapi case, the mosque is under the control of the Wakf Board, and there have been Hindu claims that the mosque was built on a temple site. After 2013, the contention over this site intensified, with legal petitions being filed to reclaim the land.

3. Qutub Minar Complex

• Location: Delhi
• Details: The Qutub Minar complex, which houses both Islamic and pre-Islamic structures, has seen claims by the Wakf Board over parts of the site. There have been disputes regarding the control and management of the complex, particularly with respect to the presence of Hindu and Jain idols and the historical use of the site.

4. Taj Mahal

• Location: Agra, Uttar Pradesh
• Details: The Taj Mahal, a UNESCO World Heritage site, has been claimed by the Uttar Pradesh Sunni Wakf Board as Wakf property. In 2005, the Wakf Board declared it a Wakf property, but this was challenged by the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI), which manages the site. While this claim predates the 2013 amendments, the legal tussle continued, and the ASI and other bodies have disputed the Wakf Board’s claim.

5. Vijay Mandir Palace

• Location: Alwar, Rajasthan
• Details: The Rajasthan Wakf Board has claimed that a portion of the Vijay Mandir Palace in Alwar is Wakf property. The palace is a Hindu site, and the claim led to significant controversy and legal challenges.

6. Land in Uttarakhand

• Location: Various sites in Uttarakhand
• Details: In Uttarakhand, there have been instances where the Wakf Board claimed ownership of land traditionally used for Hindu religious purposes. These claims have led to tensions and legal battles over the rightful ownership and control of the land.

7. Other Local Disputes

• Across various states in India, there have been localized disputes where Wakf Boards have claimed properties that are of mixed or ambiguous religious significance, often leading to legal challenges from Hindu groups. These disputes typically involve lands that were historically under Hindu control but later came under Wakf jurisdiction due to various historical and legal reasons.

Context and Legal Challenges

• Legal Disputes: Many of these claims have led to prolonged legal battles in courts. Hindu groups and individuals have often contested the Wakf Board’s claims, leading to a complex legal landscape involving questions of historical ownership, religious significance, and the proper use of such sites.
• Political and Social Tensions: The claims have sometimes heightened communal tensions, especially in areas with a history of religious disputes. The involvement of political groups and religious organizations on both sides has further complicated these issues.

Conclusion

The Wakf claims over Hindu sites post-2013 have sparked significant controversy and legal disputes, often reflecting deeper historical, religious, and communal tensions in India. These cases illustrate the complex interplay between religious law, property rights, and communal relations in the country. The courts have generally played a crucial role in adjudicating these disputes, but the issues remain sensitive and often politically charged.