Maulana Shahabuddin Razvi Barelvi, President of the All India Muslim Jamaat, on Tuesday, 14 July alleged a major financial scam within both the Sunni and Shia Waqf Boards, writing to Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath to demand a formal investigation. The demand has drawn notable cross-community support, with prominent saints and seers from Ayodhya backing the call for an independent probe into alleged irregularities in Waqf Board accounts and property management.

The Cleric's Allegations

Barelvi claimed that a thorough investigation into the Sunni and Shia Waqf Boards would expose irregularities that, according to him, could surpass even the scale of the Ram Mandir embezzlement controversy in magnitude. He formally wrote to Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath seeking a state-directed probe into these alleged financial misconduct and mismanagement of Waqf properties. The Maulana's willingness to raise accountability concerns within his own community has been widely noted.

Ayodhya Seers Extend Support

Vishnu Das Maharaj, a saint from Ayodhya, backed Barelvi's call, asserting that large-scale irregularities in Waqf properties reportedly occurred during the tenure of the Samajwadi Party government, making a fair and impartial investigation necessary. He expressed confidence that the state administration would approve such an inquiry, paving the way for accountability and corrective action.

Vishnu Das Maharaj emphasised that transparency in the management of religious properties — including Waqf lands, madrasas, mosques, and dargahs — is essential to maintaining public trust in religious institutions. He praised Barelvi for showing 'courage' in raising an issue that directly concerns his own community.

Sitaram Das Maharaj, another senior seer from Ayodhya, also extended support and called for a high-level inquiry. He argued that religious properties are intrinsically tied to the faith of communities, and therefore demand complete transparency in their administration. He called for strict action against those found to have misused Waqf properties or committed land-related irregularities.

Broader Context: Madrasa Grants and Education

Sitaram Das Maharaj also commented on the Uttarakhand government's recent decision to halt state grants to madrasas, welcoming the move. He stressed the need for transparency and quality in educational institutions, arguing that children deserve access to education that enables them to pursue careers in medicine, engineering, and the civil services.

Why This Matters

The development is significant because it represents a rare instance of cross-community alignment on a sensitive religious accountability issue. Notably, the demand originates from within the Muslim clerical establishment itself, lending it a degree of credibility that external political demands for similar probes often lack. This comes amid a broader national debate on the governance of Waqf properties, which collectively constitute one of the largest landholding bodies in India. Whether the Uttar Pradesh government acts on Barelvi's letter to Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath will be closely watched in the weeks ahead.