Some thoughts on Indo-Pak war which was officially on pause. There was lot of resistance to post this.
Last week, my western educated Son posted a message saying "can India and Pakistan stop bombing each other plz, my life is going too well rn", that upset his Anti-Modi Mom and retorted back saying 'Western media only supports Pakistan'. After couple of dozen messages and they chose to delete those messages to avoid any further triggers. Her reaction is not that specific to her and it is sentiment of billion+ people.
The question my son has asked must have asked billions of times including my self. We (me and my son) talked about 'Nuclear fear factor' is also used by West since cold war days, which Pakistan exploits. So West won't give positive opinion of India. Worse, Indian history is created based on colonial 'Why need us' format and western intellectuals are educated on that. Any change in the narration needs lot of explanation and it takes time. There is different ground reality to this antagonism.
Religious Tension
Religious tensions exist from Colonial times - see this post. Why does it continue? The answer lies in exclusive "Islamic Solidarity"( see
this to get some background to a question I asked C's) that will never accept rulers of any other religion. This reflected in certain Muslim temperaments like supporting Pakistan at the every opportunity and occasional communal violence. It is common to say 'go to Pakistan, if you like so much' when things became hot. Added to that fundie Hindu's sacred cow business, the religious tension is there below the surface for billion people. Added to that Mumbai mafia control of Bollywood and its superstar Khan group bias toward Pakistan is a controversy keep popping up.
When these terrorist attacks happen, West folds to Pakistani nuclear blackmail in the name of
both-sides-ism, Indians feels like 'Insult to the injury' or 'Salt to the wound'. Worse, Indians tend to get leaked raw footage of Muslim leaders in India and Pakistan bragging of 'death by 1000 cuts' to Hindus. That is why when Indian Foreign minister Jai Sankar says '
We need partners, not preachers' it resonates with its citizens. Until Modi became PM, these type of terror attacks tend to evoke sense of hopelessness. When Modi says 'No more tolerance', Indians goes with it trusting the man they chose to elect. But that will comes unknown risk of nuclear war. But the common man's anger is centered around 'how long this blackmail will go on' has no answer. In all the wars it is the Pakistan the initiator , gets beaten , repeats the same. But, world chose to ignore it. Wes
With 600,000+ villages, 6K towns and 6K cities, and instant social media, any incident in one place becomes viral (whether right wing parities promote or not).In any case 'Minority appeasement' of Nehru-Gandhi dynasty is a big topic to the ruling party in the name of 'Sicularism', whose origins goes back to countering Islamic violence during British days.
Thank you for the wonderful session.
Q: (seek10) C's mentioned that, "Islam is the miscegenation of the worst of both Judaism and Christianity." There is a strong black and white thinking in Muslims, particularly in countries where they are a minority, including current European migrants that follow Muslim canon law that divides the world into two camps, Dar-ul-Islam (abode of Islam) and Dar-ul-Harb (abode of war) at their own peril. How is this psychology sustained so strongly even in this age of technology? Is it related to rigid practice of prayers or is there more to it?
A...
This attack and selective shooting and killing of members of one religion while sparing the members of the other, screams 'false flag' or deliberate act to sow division, all the way to high heaven. India got almost perfect justification to do what's now apparently been doing, to land directly in its lap. Almost too perfect...
Who would have thought that this region could be flared up so easily? And both countries are nuclear powers, on top of it all.
I think
this incident is more of a typical India-Pakistan issue linked to Hindu-Muslim internal tension rather than from outside actors.
April 22nd Terror attack.
There are past instances civilians are attacked and killed based on religion. That didn't awoke this much reaction. This April 22nd terrorist attack has some interesting message and timing.
Specifically singling out the Hindus happened before too. They not only killed Hindu tourists in front of their parents and telling them 'Go and Tell Modi' (
FIRST INSTANCE this type of direct challenge issued). Timing wise, it came
with in a month after Modi's Govt. BROKE the back of Muslim leaders who run the Islamic religious charity bodies called Waqf boards. This
Waqf (Amendment) Bill, 2025 brought Islamic bodies accountable just like other Hindu and Christian religious bodies.
I think this terrorist attack and particularly say 'Go and Tell Modi' to meant to cheer up Indian Muslim leaders who were demoralized after Waqf (Amendment) Bill 2025 in April.
Pakistani ISI is like family business where one family member is in army and another is terrorist and both fight for family/clan pride (not for the country). In a away it is like Pentagon. So Pakistani ISI LOVE this low intensity cat and mouse game (any way West will bail them out), which Indians HATE and it was going on for 78 years.
Indian Islam's Waqf boards and Amendment Bill, 2025
Waqf Boards in India oversee a vast amount of land, making them one of the largest landowners in the country. They manage approximately 8.7 lakh properties, covering around 9.4 lakh acres of land, with an estimated value of ₹1.2 lakh crore. This makes them the third-largest landholder in India, following the Armed Forces and Indian Railways.
Their holdings include a mix of heritage sites, government properties, and religious assets, some of which have sparked legal and political debates.
It grew by whopping 320.9% increase since 2014( 207,394 Waqf properties/1.8 million acres in 2013 to 665,476 properties/3.9 million acres). They were aggressively using their 'Waqf by user' privileges to own more land in India.
Waqf Boards in India generate revenue primarily through rent, donations, and commercial leases on Waqf properties. However, their financial transparency has been a subject of debate. Here’s what is known:
- Total Income: Estimates suggest that Waqf Boards collectively generate ₹12,000 crore annually (US $1.4 Billion) from their properties.
- Tax Exemptions: Waqf institutions enjoy significant tax exemptions, as they are classified under charitable and religious trusts. This means they pay little to no income tax on their earnings.
- Audit & Accountability: The Waqf Amendment Act 2025 introduced stricter auditing requirements, mandating annual financial disclosures and government oversight to prevent misuse.
Why this bill is so bold ( or UN-THINKABLE decade back) one has to understand the "solidarity" among Muslims crossing the borders line , Hindu-Muslim tensions (exist from British days), vote bank politics in which
Muslim leaders enjoy privileged untouchable status and usual power politics. But Indian muslims relatively very poor.
"Solidarity"among Muslims The background to the following question to C's can be found i
n this article
For a Musalman, loyalty to faith trumps his loyalty to the country’ ...
‘To Muslims of India, a Hindu is a Kaffir and therefore, undeserving of respect and equal treatment’: BR Ambedkar
Q: (seek10) C's mentioned that, "Islam is the miscegenation of the worst of both Judaism and Christianity." There is a strong black and white thinking in Muslims, particularly in countries where they are a minority, including current European migrants that follow Muslim canon law that divides the world into two camps, Dar-ul-Islam (abode of Islam) and Dar-ul-Harb (abode of war) at their own peril. How is this psychology sustained so strongly even in this age of technology? Is it related to rigid practice of prayers or is there more to it?
A: Don't really need much more than intensive familial and social programming. Also, there is the circumcision during pubertal imprint point.
In this case, it is the inordinate amount Muslim leaders( Muslim politicians, Mullah/Imams etc.) hold over their poor population inciting at their will. This Waqf boards has MORE property than Muslim population's property combined.
The most controversial means they acquire is 'Waqf by user' - If a waqf board claims a property saying it was once used for Islamic religious purpose, It becomes theirs. no proof or any paper work needed. Even if it is used 200 years back, once they claim it become Waqf property. Once it is declared it as Waqf, it is always its property. There are 8,000 court cases pending victims complaining of their property taken over . In Some cases, entire villages. Courts can do nothing. That is level of dysfunctionality of court rules created by the previous rulers ( including BJP). you can see this video to get the idea of how charity in Indian Islam works.
Based on the questions I asked Copilot create a article. I am not satisfied with its normalization bias but here is
The Evolution, Controversies, and Legal Challenges of Waqf Properties in India
Introduction
Waqf properties in India have long played a crucial role in religious and charitable activities. Managed by
State Waqf Boards, these properties form one of the largest land holdings in the country, with an estimated
9.4 lakh acres under their administration. However, their expansion, legal status, and governance have remained contentious, sparking debates around
ownership, encroachment, financial transparency, and government intervention.
Historical Foundations and Growth
The concept of Waqf in India traces back to
Islamic traditions, where individuals endow properties for religious or charitable purposes. Over time, these properties have significantly expanded:
- In 2013, India had 2,07,394 Waqf properties.
- Post-2014, Waqf holdings increased by 320.9%, reaching over 8.7 lakh properties in 2025.
- The total Waqf land area now stands at 39 lakh acres, marking a 116% increase from pre-2013 estimates.
This rapid expansion has raised concerns about
unregulated property acquisitions, particularly through
Waqf by User, where lands are declared Waqf based on prolonged religious use rather than documented endowments.
Waqf by User: Legal Framework & Controversies
Waqf by User has sparked multiple
legal and political disputes, including cases where properties claimed under Waqf laws lacked proper documentation:
- 1. Government Land Disputes
- The Waqf Amendment Bill 2025 explicitly bars government land from being declared as Waqf property.
- Over the years, hospitals, schools, and government offices have been wrongfully claimed as Waqf land, leading to legal disputes.
2. Delhi High Court Premises Case
- The Delhi Waqf Board claimed ownership of land where the Delhi High Court is located, arguing that it was historically Waqf property.
- The claim was challenged by the government, leading to legal battles over whether the land should remain under Waqf control or be officially recognized as government property.
3. Kerala Christian Village Controversy
- A predominantly Christian village in Kerala was controversially declared Waqf land, sparking protests from local residents.
- The Kerala Waqf Board argued that historical religious use justified the claim, but opposition groups challenged it in court.
4. Gujarat Government Buildings Dispute
- Several government buildings in Gujarat were claimed by the state Waqf Board, leading to ownership disputes.
- The government denied the claims, arguing that the properties were never officially designated as Waqf.
5. Karnataka Farmers’ Land Controversy
- A large tract of farmland used by Karnataka farmers was declared Waqf property, leading to protests.
- Farmers argued that they had legally owned and cultivated the land for generations, while the Waqf Board insisted it was historically designated for religious use.
6. Punjab Partition-Era Encroachments
- In Punjab, more than half of the state’s 75,965 Waqf properties have been encroached upon, largely due to post-partition migration.
- Many properties were repurposed for Hindu and Sikh refugees, leading to disputes over whether they should be returned to Waqf control.
To address these disputes, the
Waqf Amendment Bill 2025 aims to
abolish Waqf by User, mandating formal registration for any Waqf claims.
Financial Management & Tax Exemptions
Despite controlling vast land assets, Waqf Boards generate
₹12,000 crore ($1.44 billion) annually through rents and commercial leases, yet contribute little in taxes due to
charitable exemptions.
- While the Waqf Amendment Act 2025 enforces stricter financial oversight, critics argue that Waqf Boards should face greater taxation and transparency requirements.
Post-Partition Linkages & Government Involvement
Many Waqf properties were repurposed post-Partition to accommodate
Hindu and Sikh refugees, especially in
Delhi and Punjab.
- The government occupied several Waqf lands to provide housing for displaced communities, leading to ownership disputes.
- The ongoing land recovery movement aims to assess whether historical Waqf claims should be reinstated or reclassified.
Comparisons with Government Landholdings
While Waqf Boards hold a
significant portion of India’s land, they are
third in ranking after:
- Indian Railways – 4.90 lakh hectares (~12 lakh acres).
- Indian Armed Forces – over 17 lakh acres.
Despite these figures,
Waqf Boards face greater scrutiny, particularly around
property claims, encroachments, and political influence.
Future of Waqf Governance
With the
2025 Waqf Amendment Bill, the Indian government aims to:
- Abolish Waqf by User to prevent misuse.
- Introduce stricter auditing rules to track revenues.
- Increase representation of non-Muslims in Waqf governance.
While these changes seek to
balance historical significance with legal accountability, they have triggered
protests and Supreme Court interventions, making Waqf reform one of
India’s most debated property issues.
Conclusion
The evolution of Waqf in India reflects a
delicate interplay between history, law, and governance. While Waqf Boards serve an essential role in religious and social welfare, their
expanding influence, financial opacity, and property disputes demand greater
oversight and legal clarity. With ongoing legal battles and legislative changes, the future of Waqf in India remains a
critical topic for policymakers, courts, and affected communities.
The basic point I was trying to say is April 22nd is more to cheer up Muslim leaders who were demoralized by Waqf amendment Bill 2025. Even if this bill was not the there as a excuse, terrorists can attack, if they want and India will retaliate. But this new thing 'Go and Tell Modi' looks to me a clear indication of intent. It is also reflected in NEW enthusiasm of patriotism displayed by
Muslim leaders.
None of this pleasant. But, it is what it is.
(U.S. media take note)
