UP CM Yogi Adityanath Praises Waqf Amendment Bill: 'Is It Waqf Board Or Land Mafia Board?'

UP CM Yogi Adityanath accused the Waqf Board of "land grabbing" in Prayagraj, calling it a "Land Mafia Board." He thanked PM Modi and Amit Shah for "putting a check" on the board.

UP CM Yogi Adityanath was at a programme organised on the occasion of Nishadraj Guha Jayanti in the district.

Source : PTI

Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath, on Thursday, criticised the Waqf board, accusing them of attempting to "capture land" in Prayagraj. He said that during Maha Kumbh, the Waqf board was making "arbitrary statements" claiming ownership of the land.

During a public address in Prayagraj, he questioned whether the board was acting as a "Land Mafia board."

#WATCH | Prayagraj, UP | On the #WaqfAmendmentBill passed in the Lok Sabha, Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath says, "Some people did not want a 'Pauranik' place like Prayagraj to gain its identity because their vote bank was important for them... In the name of Waqf,… pic.twitter.com/WdfWsmQ9ry

— ANI (@ANI) April 3, 2025

He was at a programme organised on the occasion of Nishadraj Guha Jayanti in the district.

The UP CM, during his address, said, "Some people did not want a mythological place like Prayagraj to gain its identity because their vote bank was important for them...”

He said that in the name of Waqf, “they tried to capture the land here in Prayagraj and other cities as well.”

“When we were organising Maha Kumbh, the Waqf Board was making arbitrary statements that the land of Kumbh in Prayagraj is also Waqf land. Is it the Waqf Board or the 'Land Mafia' Board?"

He claimed that the UP government has wiped out the “mafia of Uttar Pradesh”. Yogi Adityanath expressed gratitude to PM Modi and Home Minister Amit Shah for "putting a check" on the Waqf Board. He added that the bill would also be passed in the Rajya Sabha.

The Waqf (Amendment) Bill, 2025, has been tabled in the Rajya Sabha, a day after securing a majority in the Lok Sabha. The Lower House engaged in a 12-hour debate before passing the Bill with 288 votes in favour and 232 against.

Union Parliamentary Affairs Minister Kiren Rijiju on Thursday introduced a motion in the Rajya Sabha for the consideration of the Waqf (Amendment) Bill, 2025, along with the Musalmaan Wakf (Repeal) Bill.

The Bill seeks to amend the 1995 Act to enhance the administration and management of Waqf properties in India. It aims to address the shortcomings of the previous legislation by streamlining the registration process, strengthening Waqf boards, and incorporating technology for better record management and transparency.