In a concerning development that echoes past incidents, the Bihar Sunni Waqf Board has recently sent notices to seven Hindu households in Govindpur village, Fatuha, near Patna, claiming ownership of their properties. This incident brings to light a recurring pattern observed earlier in 2022, when the Waqf Board reportedly encroached on entire villages with predominantly Hindu populations in Tamil Nadu. The alarming trend has now surfaced in Bihar, raising serious questions about the Waqf Board's actions and intentions.

Govindpur village is home to a Hindu-majority population, with approximately 95% of its residents belonging to Hindu families. Despite these families having lived in the village for many years, the Sunni Waqf Board has persistently issued notices to them, claiming that the land on which their houses are built belongs to the Waqf Board. The notice, written in Urdu, instructed the residents to vacate their homes within a 30-day period. Additionally, the Waqf Board went as far as erecting a signboard on the disputed land, further intensifying the anxiety among the residents.

Faced with this distressing situation, the affected families continuously sought assistance from local authorities but found no respite. Eventually, they took their case to the Patna High Court in search of justice. During the court proceedings, the Waqf Board was unable to produce any concrete evidence to substantiate its claims of ownership over the seven Hindu houses in question. Consequently, the Patna High Court ruled in favor of the Hindu residents, providing them with much-needed relief from the looming threat of eviction.

The families who received the notices from the Bihar Sunni Waqf Board include Brijesh Ballabh Prasad, Rajkishore Mehta, Ramlal Sao, Malti Devi, Sanjay Prasad, Sudip Kumar, and Surendra Vishwakarma. These individuals, like many others in Govindpur, have lived in the village for years and have built their lives and homes there. The court's decision has, for the time being, safeguarded their right to continue living on their land, but the broader implications of such notices being issued raise significant concerns about property rights and religious tensions in the region.

The Hindu residents who received the notices from the Bihar Sunni Waqf Board shared their deep concerns with the media, revealing a history that dates back over a century. They stated that their ancestors had been residing in Govindpur village since the survey conducted in 1908. This historical connection to the land amplifies their distress over the Waqf Board's sudden claims of ownership. While the Patna High Court has granted them immediate relief, the residents remain anxious about the future. They fear that the Waqf Board, wielding significant power, might attempt to challenge their properties or other houses in the area through various tactics.

This incident in Bihar is not an isolated case. In 2022, a similar situation was reported by OpIndia in Tamil Nadu, where the Waqf Board attempted to encroach on Hindu houses. The report detailed how the Waqf Board had claimed ownership over an entire Hindu-majority village, Thiruchenthurai near Trichy. The issue came to light when Rajagopal, a resident of the nearby Mullikarupur village, tried to sell his 1 acre 2 cents of land to one Rajarajeshwari. To his shock, when he arrived at the Registrar’s office to finalize the sale, he was informed that the land did not belong to him but was instead claimed by the Waqf Board.

The problem did not stop there. Reports indicated that Thiruchenthurai was just one of several villages targeted by the Tamil Nadu Waqf Board. In fact, the Waqf Board had laid claim to ownership of seven such Hindu villages across the state. The situation escalated further when villagers alleged that the Waqf Board also claimed that the 1500-year-old Sundareswarar Temple belonged to them. To assert their claims, the Waqf Board went as far as placing posters across these villages, boldly stating their ownership of the village land.

These incidents highlight a troubling pattern where the Waqf Boards in different states seem to be targeting Hindu-majority areas, laying claim to lands and properties that have been under the ownership of Hindu families for generations. The legal battles, while providing temporary relief, leave the affected residents in a constant state of fear and uncertainty about their rights and future. The actions of the Waqf Board, especially when they involve historical temples and entire villages, raise serious concerns about the protection of property rights and the potential for communal tensions.

The ongoing situation in Govindpur, as well as in Tamil Nadu, underscores the need for a thorough investigation and a transparent legal process to ensure that such claims are based on legitimate grounds. It also highlights the importance of safeguarding the rights of individuals and communities against powerful entities that may exploit their position to impose unjust claims. As these cases continue to unfold, the broader implications for communal harmony and legal equity remain critical issues that require urgent attention.