Tamil Nadu, April 2025 — A fresh wave of controversy has erupted in Tamil Nadu following the passage of the Waqf Amendment Bill in Parliament, as a village in the state now finds itself at the center of a land ownership dispute. The Tamil Nadu Waqf Board has laid claim to the land on which around 150 families currently reside, leading to the issuance of eviction notices that have sparked widespread unrest among the villagers.
In response, residents staged a mass protest, marching to the District Collector’s office to express their opposition and demand government intervention. The affected families, many of whom have lived in the area for generations, argue that they hold valid documents proving their ownership of the land. Emotions ran high as villagers appealed for protection of their homes and questioned the basis of the Waqf Board’s claims.
This incident follows a similar dispute involving a 1,015-year-old Chola-era temple village, where the Waqf Board’s assertions over historical land stirred public outrage and legal scrutiny. The recurrence of such claims has intensified the debate over Waqf land rights in India, especially in regions with long and complex histories of land ownership.
Critics of the Waqf Amendment Bill argue that it expands the powers of Waqf Boards without sufficient checks and balances, potentially paving the way for overreach. Supporters, on the other hand, claim it aims to protect properties legally endowed to the Waqf and prevent encroachment.
Local leaders and legal experts are now calling for a thorough investigation into the validity of the claims and a clear framework to resolve such disputes without displacing long-standing communities. The state government has yet to issue an official statement on the matter, though officials have confirmed they are reviewing the situation.
As the villagers continue their protest and legal consultations begin, the unfolding case is likely to have broader implications for land rights, religious trusts, and governance across the country.
