Yogi Adityanath Slams Waqf Board, Backs Amendment Bill: “Is It Waqf Board or Land Mafia Board?”
Prayagraj, April 03, 2025 – Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath has once again stirred the political pot with a scathing critique of the Waqf Board, accusing it of engaging in “land grabbing” activities in Prayagraj and other parts of the state. Speaking at a public event organized to mark Nishadraj Guha Jayanti in Prayagraj, the firebrand leader questioned the board’s intentions, rhetorically asking, “Is it the Waqf Board or the ‘Land Mafia’ Board?” His remarks come amid the ongoing national debate over the recently passed Waqf (Amendment) Bill, 2025, which he strongly endorsed.
#WATCH | Prayagraj, UP | On the #WaqfAmendmentBill passed in the Lok Sabha, Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath says, “Some people did not want a ‘Pauranik’ place like Prayagraj to gain its identity because their vote bank was important for them… In the name of Waqf,… pic.twitter.com/WdfWsmQ9ry
— ANI (@ANI) April 3, 2025
Adityanath’s comments were aimed at what he described as the Waqf Board’s “arbitrary statements” claiming ownership of land in Prayagraj, particularly during preparations for the Maha Kumbh, a significant religious event that draws millions of devotees. “When we were organizing Maha Kumbh, the Waqf Board was making absurd claims that the land of Kumbh in Prayagraj is also Waqf land,” he said, accusing the board of attempting to encroach on culturally and religiously significant sites. He further alleged that such actions were part of a broader pattern of land capture in Prayagraj and other cities across Uttar Pradesh, driven by vested interests.
The Chief Minister linked these actions to political motives, suggesting that some groups prioritized their “vote bank” over preserving the identity of a “mythological place like Prayagraj.” Without naming specific parties, he implied that the Waqf Board’s overreach was enabled by those who placed electoral gains above public interest.
Praising the efforts of the central government, Adityanath expressed gratitude to Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Home Minister Amit Shah for introducing the Waqf (Amendment) Bill, 2025, which he said would “put a check” on such practices. “The mafia of Uttar Pradesh has been wiped out by our government, and now, with this bill, the Waqf Board’s unchecked actions will also be reined in,” he declared, exuding confidence that the legislation would soon clear the Rajya Sabha after its passage in the Lok Sabha.
The Waqf (Amendment) Bill, 2025: A Contentious Reform
The Waqf (Amendment) Bill, 2025, has been a focal point of intense political debate. Tabled in the Rajya Sabha on Thursday by Union Parliamentary Affairs Minister Kiren Rijiju, the bill seeks to overhaul the Waqf Act of 1995, which governs the administration of Waqf properties in India. The legislation passed the Lok Sabha on Wednesday with a majority of 288 votes in favor and 232 against, following a marathon 12-hour debate.
The bill proposes several key reforms, including streamlining the registration process for Waqf properties, enhancing the powers and accountability of Waqf boards, and leveraging technology for better record-keeping and transparency. Proponents argue that these changes will address long-standing issues of mismanagement, corruption, and disputes over Waqf land. Critics, however, contend that the amendments infringe on religious autonomy and could disproportionately affect minority communities.
Alongside the Waqf (Amendment) Bill, the Musalmaan Wakf (Repeal) Bill was also introduced, signaling a broader restructuring of Waqf governance in the country. The twin legislative moves have sparked polarized reactions, with the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and its allies championing them as necessary reforms, while opposition parties decry them as politically motivated.
Yogi’s Broader Narrative
Adityanath’s remarks in Prayagraj align with his administration’s broader agenda of cracking down on what he terms “mafias” in Uttar Pradesh—be it land, crime, or otherwise. His reference to wiping out the “mafia of Uttar Pradesh” underscores his government’s tough-on-crime image, a narrative that has resonated with his voter base. By framing the Waqf Board as a “Land Mafia Board,” he extends this rhetoric to a new target, blending governance with cultural and religious undertones.
The Chief Minister’s support for the Waqf (Amendment) Bill also reflects the synergy between the BJP-led governments at the state and central levels. With the bill now in the Rajya Sabha, where the BJP lacks a clear majority, its fate hinges on negotiations with allies and opposition parties—a process Adityanath appears optimistic about.
As the Waqf (Amendment) Bill, 2025, moves through the legislative pipeline, it is likely to remain a lightning rod for controversy. For Yogi Adityanath, the issue provides an opportunity to reinforce his image as a decisive leader unafraid to tackle contentious issues, while amplifying the BJP’s broader ideological stance. Whether his characterization of the Waqf Board as a “Land Mafia Board” gains traction beyond his supporters remains to be seen, but it has undeniably added fuel to an already heated national discourse.