02-04-2023 : The J&K Waqf Board has taken a firm stand against land grabbers who have encroached upon the land of Eidgah at Srinagar. The Board has declared that it will restore all the land of Eidgah that has been grabbed by some vested elements and land mafia over the years, and warned that no leniency will be shown to those who have grabbed Waqf land, regardless of how influential they may be.
Dr Darkshan Andrabi, the Chairperson of the Board, visited Eidgah to take stock of the situation for holding Eid-ul-Fiter prayers and warned that every inch of Waqf land will be restored, and land grabbers will be evicted. She stated that out of the 600 kanals of land belonging to Eidgah in Srinagar, the maximum has been grabbed by people who have constructed their houses and business establishments there.
Dr Andrabi highlighted that Eidgah is the face of Srinagar city, and nobody will be allowed to grab it. She requested that the people who have grabbed the Waqf land should voluntarily vacate their possession before facing lawful action. She assured the youth of the area that the Board will turn tough against the land grabbers and get entire encroached land restored to Eidgah. The cleanliness of the Eidgah will also be started within days.
In addition, the Chairperson of the Board demanded that the control of two Islamic Universities in the J&K UT existing on Waqf land be given to J&K Waqf Board, like that of Shri Mata Vaishno Devi University of Katra, Jammu over which Shrine Board has full control. She stated that the Islamia University of Awantipora, Pulwama in Kashmir Valley and Baba Ghulam Shah Badshah University, Rajouri in Jammu region exist on Waqf land, and the Waqf Board has paid Rs 250 crore to the University for its development. However, both the varsities don’t fall under the control of the Waqf Board.
Dr Andrabi said that Board will strive hard to seek control over two varsities. She said that while paying the funds to the two varsities, the Board had no money to pay salaries of its employees but in return it got nothing. Finally, a delegation of Muftis also met her, giving various suggestions, and the Board will take cognizance of their good suggestions for the smooth running of religious shrines in J&K.