UP Waqf Board claims ownership of 115-year-old Varanasi college
After the state Waqf Board asserted possession of the 115-year-old Udai Pratap college, a dispute broke out in Varanasi, Uttar Pradesh. The assertion, which was first made in 2018, has come up again in the midst of the continuing discussion around the Waqf Amendment Bill.
The more than 100 acres of college property, according to the Uttar Pradesh Central Sunni Waqf Board, is Waqf property connected to a historic mosque on campus. The college administration, however, has vehemently denied this, claiming that the property is part of a nonprofit endowment and cannot be sold or transferred.
The more than 100 acres of college property, according to the Uttar Pradesh Central Sunni Waqf Board, is Waqf property connected to a historic mosque on campus. The college administration, however, has vehemently denied this, claiming that the property is part of a nonprofit endowment and cannot be sold or transferred.
The college received a notification from the Waqf Board in december 2018, asserting that the Choti Masjid and its related property were bequeathed to Waqf by the Nawab of Tonk and should so fall within the board's jurisdiction.
In response to the warning at the time, the college administration denied the Waqf Board's allegations, stating that Udai Pratap college was founded in 1909 in accordance with the Charitable Endowment Act. There are now more than 17,000 students enrolled at the college.
The college administration claims that for years following their response, the board did not take any further action. However, the Waqf Board attempted to build the mosque in 2022, but the police stopped it after the college complained, according to DK Singh, principal of Udai Pratap College.
Additionally, the principal claimed that the power utilized at the shrine was "illegally stolen" from the institution, which is why the electrical supply was shut off.
The college administration claims that for years following their response, the board did not take any further action. However, the Waqf Board attempted to build the mosque in 2022, but the police stopped it after the college complained, according to DK Singh, principal of Udai Pratap College.
Additionally, the principal claimed that the power utilized at the shrine was "illegally stolen" from the institution, which is why the electrical supply was shut off.