Waqf Board claims land of 150 homes in Vellore district village, Tamil Nadu

Vellore (Tamil Nadu): Around 150 families residing in KattuKolai village in the Virinjipuram area of Vellore district—many for 4 generations—have been suddenly declared encroachers on land now claimed by the Waqf Board. The disputed land has been linked to the Nawab Mosque and Hazrat Syed Ali Sultan Shah Dargah, sparking widespread anger among the villagers.

Residents say they possess valid documents proving their ownership of the land and have lived there peacefully for decades.

Notice issued by dargah representative: Syed Sadam, a representative associated with the Hazrat Syed Ali Sultan Shah Dargah, recently issued notices to villagers demanding payment of taxes, claiming the land is officially Waqf property under the Dargah’s management.

Claims from the mosque’s mutavalli (Manager):The mosque’s manager asserts that the villagers are already aware the land belongs to the Waqf Board, and claims that even government records from 1954 recognize the land as Waqf property.

Waqf Board claims land of 150 homes in a village in Vellore, Tamil Nadu! ⚠️

Even after Waqf Act reforms, such land-grab claims continue — totally unacceptable!

The government must act now and use the full force of the law! ⚖️

VC: @SADigestOnline pic.twitter.com/YMygKKdUgZ

— Sanatan Prabhat (@SanatanPrabhat) April 16, 2025

Hindu organizations launch protests

The Hindu Munnani (Hindu Front) organization has taken up the issue, rallying the villagers and filing a formal complaint with the Vellore District Collector. In response, District Collector V.R. Subbulakshmi assured residents that “no one will be evicted,” and confirmed an ongoing investigation into the matter.

BJP MLA C. Saraswati criticized the Waqf Board’s actions, stating that the Board lacks the necessary documentation and is acting in an arbitrary manner.