In a development that has left the residents of Kattukollai village in Vellore district, Tamil Nadu, deeply alarmed, notices issued by the Tamil Nadu Waqf Board have claimed that their land belongs to the Syed Ali Sultan Shah Dargah. The official communication, which surfaced in February 2025, demands that the villagers enter into a formal rental agreement with the Waqf Board or face eviction under Waqf laws. This announcement has sparked a wave of fear, confusion, and protests in the region, with nearly 150 families potentially affected.

The Waqf notice claims that the land in Survey Number 330/1 falls under the ownership of the Dargah and, consequently, the Waqf Board. Villagers were told that they must either start paying rent to the Dargah management or risk being labelled encroachers. If labelled so, the land would be recovered under the legal provisions that govern Waqf properties.

For the residents of Kattukollai, this is nothing short of a nightmare scenario. Many of them have lived on and cultivated this land for over four generations, holding valid land documents issued by government authorities. Farming remains their primary source of livelihood, and the sudden challenge to their property rights has created a tense atmosphere in the village.

In response, the villagers, with support from the Hindu Munnani, a socio-political Hindu organization, organized a protest march to the Vellore District Collector's office, demanding clarity and immediate state intervention. A memorandum was submitted, requesting the administration to look into the issue and provide legal protection to the long-time residents.

One of the villagers, a local farmer, expressed his anguish: “This land is our only source of livelihood, and now we are being told to vacate it or pay rent to the Dargah. This has created fear and confusion.”

Mahesh, a representative from Hindu Munnani, led the villagers during their protest. Addressing the media, he said, “These families have lived here for decades with valid documents. Now suddenly, Survey Number 330/1 is being declared Waqf land. We urge the administration to issue official patta (ownership certificates) to the residents and protect their rights. This is not just a property issue; it’s a matter of generational justice.”

A Déjà Vu Moment: Echoes from Tiruchendurai

This is not the first time a Waqf land row has caused unrest in Tamil Nadu. A similar controversy unfolded in 2022, when the Tamil Nadu Waqf Board claimed ownership over nearly 480 acres of land in Tiruchendurai village, including a Chola-era Hindu temple believed to be over 1,500 years old. That incident sparked widespread protests and forced the state government to intervene. Ultimately, the issue was resolved, and the status quo was maintained, with villagers retaining control over their land.

The Kattukollai dispute, however, is reigniting concerns about the ambiguity surrounding Waqf land identification, the lack of proper notification before claims are made, and the potential misuse of authority to lay claim over privately owned or agriculturally used lands.

What is Waqf and the Legal Background?

Waqf refers to property donated by Muslims for religious, educational, or charitable purposes, and it is administered by Waqf Boards established under The Waqf Act of 1995, amended several times since. These Boards manage thousands of such properties across India, ensuring that their religious or social utility is preserved.

On April 5, 2025, President Droupadi Murmu gave her assent to the Waqf (Amendment) Act, which had been passed after extensive debate in both Houses of Parliament. This new law aims to streamline the management of Waqf assets, protect heritage properties, and enhance transparency in dealings. It also seeks to improve coordination between the Waqf Boards and local revenue and civic authorities.

Despite the noble intentions of the Act, the Kattukollai incident highlights gaps in implementation. The villagers claim that they were given no prior warning, no official verification, and that the sudden notice served upon them has thrown their lives into disarray.

Rising Demands for Land Ownership Clarity

The Kattukollai residents are now pressing for immediate government intervention to either revoke the Waqf claim or verify land records transparently. They seek assurance that valid government-issued land documents will be honoured and not overridden by unilateral Waqf Board declarations.

The Collector’s office has yet to issue an official statement, but sources indicate that a review of the survey records and land ownership documentation may be initiated to bring clarity. Given the politically sensitive nature of the issue, the state government is likely to tread carefully while balancing religious trust rights and citizens’ property rights.

A Broader Concern Across the State

With more than 30,000 Waqf properties in Tamil Nadu and several disputes already simmering under the surface, this issue could become a larger political and legal flashpoint. Citizens’ groups and rights activists are calling for a publicly accessible digital database of Waqf lands and a clear demarcation to avoid such conflicts in the future.

Legal experts point out that while Waqf Boards have the statutory authority to manage religious endowments, they must also ensure compliance with local land laws, transparency in record-keeping, and due consultation with affected communities before asserting control over any land.

What Lies Ahead?

As of now, the residents of Kattukollai wait in uncertainty, unsure whether their homes and farmlands will be secured or taken away. The state and central authorities must act swiftly to investigate the claims, verify the legal documentation, and ensure that justice and clarity prevail.

This incident, just like the Tiruchendurai case, has brought to the fore critical questions about land ownership, legal rights, religious trust authority, and the balance between governance and community welfare.

Until definitive answers are provided, the people of Kattukollai remain in legal limbo, fearing displacement from land they have called home for generations. The nation watches closely, as this case may well set a precedent for how similar disputes are handled across India’s diverse and layered land ownership landscape.

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