Agartala: Tripura Minister Sudhanshu Das has proposed the establishment of a Sanatan Dharma Board, similar to the Waqf Board, to safeguard Hindu temples and their properties.
Speaking to ANI, Das questioned the absence of such a board for the Hindu community, especially when a Waqf Board exists for the Muslim community. He emphasized the need for a dedicated body to protect Hindu religious institutions, citing incidents like those in Tirupati as a reason for such a board’s necessity. He said, “If it is not given to us, then don’t give it to anyone else.”
The Waqf Board is a legal entity responsible for managing Muslim properties and religious sites, regulated under the Waqf Act, 1995. However, it has faced allegations of mismanagement, corruption, and encroachment issues. The Waqf (Amendment) Bill, 2024, aims to introduce reforms, including digitization, stricter audits, transparency, and mechanisms to reclaim illegally occupied properties.
In a related context, the Joint Parliamentary Committee (JPC) on the Waqf Amendment Bill is currently on a study tour to five cities — Guwahati, Bhubaneswar, Kolkata, Patna, and Lucknow — to examine the proposed legislative changes from November 9 to November 14.
Furthermore, the Waqf land and property controversy in Karnataka has gained attention, with JPC Chairperson Jagdambika Pal visiting districts like Huballi and Vijayapura to meet farmers’ organizations. Pal announced that a fact-finding report on the issue would be presented in the upcoming winter session of Parliament.