Waqf Amendment Bill: What's the land scam allegation against Mallikarjun Kharge

Anwar Manippady's report on Waqf properties reveals widespread corruption involving political leaders, officials, and Waqf Board members, accusing them of illegally leasing or selling Waqf lands for personal gain. But what are these allegations?

In Short

• Mallikarjun Kharge accused of syphoning money from Waqf institutes
• Report says Waqf lands were leased or sold at below-market rates
• Opposition walk out of panel meeting on Waqf amendment bill calling allegations irrelevant

Drama surrounding the Waqf amendment bill continued in the Lok Sabha, as the Opposition walked out of the proceedings on Wednesday, October 16, for the second consecutive day. The Opposition members of Parliament (MPs) boycotted the Waqf Amendment Bill 2024 presentation, citing allegations against Leader of Opposition Mallikarjun Kharge from the 2012 Karnataka Wakf Scam Report.

The presentation was made at the Joint Parliamentary meeting by the former chairman of the Karnataka State Minorities Commission and former Karnataka BJP vice-president, Anwar Manipaddy.

The Opposition claimed that the report was used to malign the Congress-led Karnataka government and party President Mallikarjun Kharge. Opposition MPs accused Manippady of deviating from the agenda by making irrelevant allegations against the Karnataka government and Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge.

Manippady’s report details widespread corruption and misuse of Waqf properties, implicating Kharge and several high-profile political figures. The allegations centred around a systematic ‘modus operandi’ used to syphon funds from Waqf institutions, which are responsible for managing properties dedicated to the welfare of the Muslim community.

HOW THE WAQF SCAM OPERATED

According to the report, Waqf institutions own vast properties across India, including prime land in cities, towns, and educational hubs. These lands are often leased at below-market rates, allowing powerful individuals to pocket the majority of the proceeds. Manippady’s report claims that instead of the full rental value being collected by the Waqf boards, only about 20% reaches the intended institutions, while the remaining 80% is pocketed by corrupt officials, board members, and leaders of the political party under whose control the institution is.

One of the key methods of exploitation outlined in the report is the illegal leasing of Waqf lands for paltry sums. For instance, the report highlights cases where prime properties, including spaces for five-star hotels and engineering colleges, were leased for as little as Rs 5,000 to Rs 50,000, despite these institutions earning crores. Court interventions in some cases increased the lease amount to Rs 5 lakhs or more, but these agreements were still deemed unlawful.

Manippady also pointed out that these long-term leases or sales directly contravene the Supreme Court’s 1998 ruling, which declared that once land is classified as Waqf property, it remains so permanently.

WHO WAS INVOLVED?

Manippady’s report named several prominent political figures accusing them of playing a role in these fraudulent deals. The broad network of individuals allegedly misused Waqf properties, illegally leasing or selling prime land, depriving the Waqf institutions of millions in revenue intended for charitable causes.

These illicit deals, according to Manippady, deprived the Waqf institutions of millions, money that should have been used for charitable purposes like funding schools, hospitals, and welfare programs for the poor.

The most notable name in that list was of Congress chief Mallikarjun Kharge, who was alleged to have played a role in the misuse of Waqf lands, particularly in Kalaburagi (formerly known as Gulbarga).

The report also showed Congress leader and former MP, late Iqbal Saradgi, involved in fraudulent land deals. Former Karnataka cabinet minister, late Qamarul Islam, was also named in the report for being involved in numerous illegal transactions related to Waqf properties.

Former Union Ministers Rehman Khan, CM Ibrahim and CK Jaffer Shariff are also accused of misusing their position to benefit from the Waqf properties. Other key figures implicated include a Waqf Board official, Obedulla Sharif, who is accused of embezzling funds, and Roshan Baig, a former minister also involved in illegal sales of Waqf properties.

Politicians such as NA Haris and Tanveer Sait, along with former Waqf Board CEO MA Khalid were implicated in the report, accused of fraudulent land deals.

Manippady’s findings go on to accuse various Waqf board officials, including Mutawallis (property managers) and committee members, of systematically facilitating the illegal leases and diverting profits.

THE FALLOUT AND POLITICAL TENSIONS

The report’s submission immediately sparked political turmoil. During the JPC meeting, tempers flared when Kharge was implicated in the alleged Waqf land scam. Kharge has denied the allegations, with his supporters calling the accusations baseless.

Meanwhile, BJP leaders seized upon the report to criticise Congress, with BJP MLC CT Ravi stating, “Congress has turned into today’s Muslim League. They talk about protecting minority rights, but in reality, they’re looting minority institutions.”

BJP MLA Mahesh Tenginkai also accused Kharge of appropriating Waqf land for his own use in Kalaburagi. He said, “This is why the Congress party tries to appease one community so that they can grab Waqf land. This is wrong. They should let the Waqf properties be with the board.”

Manippady’s report suggested that reforms were urgently needed to prevent further mismanagement of Waqf properties. He advocated for strict enforcement of the Waqf act and closer scrutiny of all transactions involving Waqf land. His recommendations also call for properties leased to government-approved charitable institutions to follow proper market valuation or be exchanged for secured land of equal value.