Shimla News
Vikramaditya Singh demands reforms in Waqf Board amid statewide protests over illegal mosque constructions
Youth Congress leader and Himachal Pradesh Public Works Minister Vikramaditya Singh has sparked a fresh debate over the functioning of the Waqf Board amid growing protests over illegal mosque constructions in Shimla, Mandi and other parts of the state. In a recent post on social media, Singh emphasised the need for reforms within the Waqf Board, citing the importance of changing laws with changing times.
In his post, the minister wrote, “The interests of Himachal and Himachaliyat are paramount, ensuring full development across the state. It is necessary to bring changes in every law with time and the Waqf Board also needs to be reformed with changing times.” His comments have evoked varied reactions from people, further fuelling the ongoing debate over the Waqf Board and its functioning.
The demand for reforms has come at a time when a wave of protests is sweeping across the state and concerns are growing over illegal constructions linked to the Waqf Board. The protest which began in Shimla and Mandi has now spread to other districts including Sirmaur. On Saturday, hundreds of protesters under the banner of Devbhoomi Sangharsh Samiti took to the streets in Shillai demanding an inquiry into people from outside states living in the district without proper registration. The protesters also raised their voice against the functioning of the Wakf Board and accused it of acting as a land mafia and facilitating illegal occupation of government land under the guise of religious activities.
The committee leading the protest alleged that the Wakf Board has allowed members of a particular community to illegally occupy land and construct mosques and mausoleums without proper authorisation. Demanding the immediate dissolution of the Wakf Board, a representative of the Devbhoomi Sangharsh Samiti said, “For the last two decades, a conspiracy is being hatched to change the demography of Himachal. People from other states are getting organised and acting like a mafia.” They also called upon the state administration to take swift action to remove illegal constructions and investigate how these structures were approved and how the land was illegally marked in the name of the Waqf Board.
The protests have turned into a statewide agitation, with local residents in various districts taking to the streets demanding a thorough probe into the issue. Many are questioning how the illegal construction of mosques was allowed to go ahead and demanding accountability from officials responsible for monitoring land use.
As the unrest continues, pressure is mounting on the government to address the concerns of the protesters and take concrete steps towards resolving the issue. Minister Vikramaditya Singh’s comments on the need for reforms within the Waqf Board have added another dimension to the ongoing debate, indicating possible changes in the way the board operates in the future. The situation remains tense, and further protests are likely to continue as the state grapples with the issue of illegal constructions and the role of the Waqf Board.
