BJP neta seeks fair resolution of land dispute

Patna: BJP chief whip in the Lok Sabha, Sanjay Jaiswal, on Thursday spotlighted a dispute over three plots of land in Patna district’s Gobindpur village, about 35km from here. The Fatuha unit of the Bihar Sunni Waqf Board (BSWB) claims ownership of the land, while locals assert it belonged to them traditionally.
Jaiswal urged the Patna district administration to review the matter and related documents impartially.“The administration should resolve the dispute to the satisfaction of all parties concerned,” he told reporters.
The controversy emerged following Union minority welfare minister Kiren Rijiju’s introduction of the Waqf Board Amendment Bill, 2024, on August 8. The Bill, which faced opposition from some NDA allies, was withdrawn and referred to the joint parliamentary committee (JPC) for further scrutiny.
“The JPC will address such issues during its proceedings. Everything will become clear,” Jaiswal, a JPC member, said. On Thursday, he visited Gobindpur village and spoke with seven people who received eviction notices from the BSWB, demanding they vacate the land within 30 days. The village has a population of around 5,000.
The affected people are Brijesh Ballabh Prasad, Raj Kishore Mahto, Ramlal Sao, Malti Devi, Sanjay Prasad, Sudip Kumar and Surendra Vishwakarma.
Mohammad Hasim alias Babloo, secretary-cum-mutwalli of the Fatuha unit of BSWB, has posted a notice board outside the village. It states, “This property belongs to the Bihar State Sunni Waqf Board (minority welfare department, Government of Bihar). Sale or encroachment of this land is a non-bailable offence under section 1995(2013) Act.”
Jaiswal pointed out that the seven residents possess a ‘khatian’ from 1910, showing the land belonged to their ancestors. He said the land was transferred in 2021-22, not to the Waqf Board, but to one Mohammad Hasim alias Babloo Khan. “Anyone can donate their property to the Waqf Board, but acquiring someone else’s property for donation is another issue,” Jaiswal said.
He also highlighted another piece of land, designated as govt property but used as a graveyard, located near Fatuha railway station. “Twelve shops have been constructed on part of this land, from which rent is being collected,” Jaiswal added.