First under Waqf Amendment Act: Illegal madrassa in MP demolished voluntarily | Bhopal News - The Times of India

BHOPAL: An illegally constructed madrasa was voluntarily demolished by its operators in Panna district of Madhya Pradesh on Saturday, marking the first such action after the passage of the Waqf (Amendment) Act, 2025 in Parliament. Administrative officials said they had issued notices to the operators following a complaint from BJP president VD Sharma from a local resident belonging to Muslim community. Officials said that the operator took action himself in the light of the newly passed legislation before local administration could initiate action to raze it. The madrasa had been operating illegally for the past 30 years in Panna's BD Colony. Despite multiple notices issued over the years, the operator failed to comply. However, after the Waqf Amendment Act enacted and warnings of strict enforcement were issued, the operator used a bulldozer to demolish the structure voluntarily. According to officials, the madrasa had been constructed on govt land. Local residents and social workers had long raised objections. Despite these complaints, no decisive action had been taken until recently. The operator claimed that he initially received permission from the local gram panchayat, but now that the area falls under the jurisdiction of the municipal corporation, the construction has been deemed illegal. The matter was in court for an extended period, which limited administrative intervention earlier. But with the recent legislative changes, authorities issued a final notice prompting the voluntary demolition, said sources. Sharma said that members of the Muslim community had raised concerns about 'immoral activities' being carried out on illegally acquired Waqf land. "With Waqf Amendment Act, such misuse can now be effectively curtailed. Such properties would be channelised. Funds raised under the guise of various activities will now be utilised for the development of the members of the minority community," he told local media.