Should President Murmu Extend the Deadline for Waqf Property Registration in Bengal?
Synopsis
Key Takeaways
- Adhir Ranjan Chowdhury's appeal highlights the challenges faced in registering Waqf properties.
- West Bengal has the highest number of Waqf properties in India.
- Registration difficulties are primarily due to inadequate documentation.
- The appeal aims to extend the registration deadline to address these issues.
- Waqf properties serve vital socio-cultural functions.
Kolkata, Dec 5 (NationPress) Adhir Ranjan Chowdhury, a five-time Congress Lok Sabha representative and former president of the West Bengal Congress unit, has addressed a letter to President Droupadi Murmu, requesting her intervention to prolong the deadline for registering Waqf properties in West Bengal.
In his correspondence, Chowdhury expressed, "I am hopeful that your esteemed support will assist those overseeing Waqf properties in West Bengal, a state grappling with significant challenges, by extending the time-frame until all Waqf properties are registered on the designated portal."
Chowdhury further explained the rationale behind his appeal to the President concerning this issue.
"Given the challenges encountered in registering these properties within the stipulated time, I earnestly request your intervention to have the timeline for registration extended," he stated.
He highlighted that West Bengal holds the record for the highest number of Waqf properties, exceeding 150,000, which serve diverse socio-cultural functions, including education and burial sites.
As a result, Chowdhury noted that the stakeholders are struggling to meet the registration deadline and have been advocating for an extension.
"It is concerning that the hurdles in registering Waqf properties on the UMEED portal appear to be significantly more pronounced in West Bengal compared to other regions, where such properties are registered more seamlessly," Chowdhury remarked in his letter.
He pointed out that the creation of Waqf properties is largely tied to cultural practices, leading to challenges in obtaining adequate documentation or proof.
"The boards managing these properties, which benefit the community in West Bengal, are genuinely struggling to meet the registration deadline and deserve sympathetic consideration. Instead of insisting on adherence to the December 6, 2025 deadline, which could exacerbate existing issues, I urge you to kindly facilitate an extension until all Waqf properties are registered on the UMEED portal," Chowdhury concluded in his letter.