BJP Minority Cell to launch nationwide stir for Wakf land

Mumbai, Sep 2 (UNI) BJP Minority Cell president Shahnawaz Hussain today said they will start a nationwide stir against the governments of various states for selling Wakf land, and bring to light their corrupt practices.

Speaking at a conference on Wakf land, organised by the Minority Cell of BJP here yesterday, Mr Hussain, who is an MP from Bihar, said corruption of billions of rupees was involved in these deals.

He said the various state governments have control over Wakf land that has been donated by Muslims for the benefit of the poor, many decades ago, and that land cannot be transferred or leased to any individual. But there have been instances where the land had been transferred in an individual's name with the help of the government authorities, he alleged.

Mr Hussain said ''The Wakf land in many states has been transferred by the concerned ministers and bureaucrats and we will see to it that the land is returned to the poor, to whom the land was originally donated.'' ''The Muslim community supported the Congress and with this scandal, the Muslims will come to know the real face of Congress,'' he said.

He blamed the Samajwadi Party for transferring the Wakf land in Uttar Pradesh when they were in power, and said the protest against the Maharashtra government was nothing but an eye wash.

Speaking on the occasion, former Union Minister Ram Naik said ''The Wakf land should be used for the benefit of the poor and the corrupt politicians, who have illegally transferred the land for their benefit, should be exposed.'' The first public meeting on Wakf land dealings was organised in the metropolis and such meetings will be held all over the country by the party's Minority Cell, Mr Hussain added.

UNI