Jamiat Ulema-e-Hind President Maulana Mahmood Madani has expressed deep concern over the anti-encroachment action taken in the area adjacent to Hazrat Haji Harman Shah Dargah in the King George Medical College campus in Lucknow on Wednesday (January 28, 2026) and the demolition notices issued against the tombs present in the premises of Hazrat Makhdoom Shah Meena. He warned the college administration to desist from violating the country’s laws related to Waqf properties through misleading propaganda and immediately withdraw these notices.
Maulana Madani said that this tomb adjacent to King George Medical College is more than 700 years old, while the college was established in the year 1912. In such a situation, to say that what is the function of Dargahs in the college campus is completely false and misleading. He said that at the time of the establishment of the college, in the year 1912 itself, the Revenue Department had separated the Dargah land from the college premises through demarcation, which is proof of its permanent and independent legal status.
Competent court has the right to take action on Waqf property dispute: Madani
Maulana Madani further said that on April 26, 2025, the demolition of the Wujukhana, Ibadatgah and facilities related to the movement of pilgrims within the limits of the approximately 700-year-old Astana-e-Hazrat Haji Harman Shah under the supervision of Professor Dr. KK Singh was a unilateral and completely illegal action. There was neither any court order nor any kind of statutory permission was taken in this regard, rather this action has been taken under the guise of a false narrative.
He said that it is clear that the land in question is duly Waqf property under the Waqf Act, 1995 and is registered with the Sunni Waqf Board. According to the Waqf Law, only the competent court has jurisdiction over any dispute or action related to Waqf properties and not any educational institution or any of its officers. Therefore, issuing such notices and adopting a threatening attitude is completely illegal.
What did Maulana Madani say on the responsibility of Waqf Board?
Maulana Madani said that in such matters it is the responsibility of the Waqf Board to play an active and effective role. Launch a special campaign for organized identification of ancient heritages, tombs and religious places, ensure restoration of those parts which have been demolished and provide certified copies of relevant legal documents to the Mutawallis, so that such incidents and disputes can be effectively prevented in future.
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