Waqf Grabs 40 Acre Temple Land in Maharashtra, Claims it Belongs to Dargah: Temple Trust

A significant dispute has erupted over a 40-acre plot of land surrounding the Kanifnath Temple, with the Waqf asserting ownership, claiming it belongs to a dargah in Ahmednagar. This situation dates back to 2005 when the land was allegedly registered under the Waqf Act, sparking ongoing legal confrontations.

Republic Media Network reported from the site, where a board was placed by the Waqf that declares the land as theirs. The temple trustees are fighting back, citing historical documentation that they believe validates their claim. 

Shrihari Ambekar, a trustee of the Kanifnath Temple, stated, “The land was given to Biban, the wife of Shankar Bhai, as a caretaker. Our trust holds pre-British era documents that support our ownership, which has been acknowledged by the District Court of Rahuri.”

Ambekar further explained that in 2005, local residents from the Muslim community allegedly manipulated the registration process, violating the basic rules of the Waqf Act, which require proper procedure and notification to existing stakeholders. He emphasized that the temple trustees were not informed about the registration, which has led to escalating tensions.

The situation intensified as attempts were reportedly made to dismantle the temple and convert it into a dargah. The case is currently under review by the Waqf Tribunal, which has imposed restrictions on making any alterations to the temple structure. Additionally, 19 members from the temple trust and the local gram panchayat have been prohibited from accessing the site.