During an internal survey, the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) has found that 250 of its protected monuments are currently registered as Waqf properties, The Indian Express has learnt. The central agency is expected to put this on record before the Joint Parliamentary Committee (JPC) examining the Waqf (Amendment) Bill, 2024, also seeking back their control. Sources say the current list also includes several monuments listed in the 2006 Sachar Committee report on the Social, Economic and Educational Status of the Muslim Community of India, which had listed out “Waqf properties in India under unauthorised possession of ASI”. While not all these 172 sites are protected monuments of national importance, some of the prominent sites in Delhi include Jama Masjid at Ferozeshah Kotla, Chhoti Gumti makbara in RK Puram, Hauz Khas Masjid and Idgah. The monuments span across most parts of the country, sources say. During the fourth meeting of the JPC in September, the ASI had put this number at 120. Consequently, it sought reports from various circles and the number has now reached 250, sources said. The agency will tell the JPC how it creates conflict in management and conservation work, and many of these monuments were unilaterally registered by the Waqf Board as their properties. During the fourth meeting of the JPC examining the amendment in September, the ASI had given a presentation on issues related to Waqf in protected monuments and sites, also explaining the problems the agency is facing at these monuments with regard to preservation and conservation. Another bone of contention between the ASI and the Waqf Board is going to be on the unilateral nature of these contentions, it is learnt. The Waqf Act 1995 empowers the Board to declare any property or building as Waqf property in the name of charity. Using this authority, the Board has issued notifications to declare protected monuments as Waqf properties, resulting in conflicts with the rights granted under the Ancient Monuments and Archaeological Sites and Remains Act (AMASR) 1958.
