The Uttar Pradesh government has registered 58 acres of Waqf property in Kaushambi district as government land, sparking a controversy. Officials claim they are “reclaiming” government land that was wrongly recorded under the Waqf Board. However, Muslim groups argue that the state is encroaching on Waqf land under the cover of the newly introduced Waqf (Amendment) Act, 2025, which is currently facing strong opposition in court and on the streets. 

According to a report by India Today, the Kaushambi District Magistrate Madhusudan Hulgi confirmed that 93 bighas (around 58 acres) of land, previously under the Waqf Board, have now been recorded in government records.

In total, 98.95 hectares in the district are registered under the Waqf Board. Officials also said more Waqf land would be verified and potentially reclaimed in the future. The new Waqf law grants more authority to District Magistrates, which has become a point of contention.  The situation continues to evolve as both legal and public debates intensify.

Credit: Independent News Pakistan (INP)