In a surprising turn of events in Maharashtra's Latur district, the State Waqf Board has reportedly laid claim to 300 acres of land, owned by over 100 farmers. This issue has surfaced shortly after similar incidents in Karnataka, where the Waqf Board sent notices to farmers and claimed land ownership.

According to media reports, more than 100 farmers in Latur have alleged that the Waqf Board has sent them legal notices claiming ownership of the land they have been farming for generations. The farmers contend that the land they are cultivating has been passed down to them through inheritance, and they are now facing an attempt to seize it by the Waqf Board.

In an interview with the media on Saturday, the affected farmers revealed that a claim petition has been filed with the Maharashtra State Waqf Tribunal in Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar (formerly Aurangabad). Following this, the Waqf Tribunal issued notices to 103 farmers, who collectively own 300 acres of land.

One of the farmers, Tukaram Kanwte, spoke to the media, stating, "This land has been passed down to us for generations. It is not Waqf property. We want the Maharashtra government to provide justice. There have already been two hearings in the court on this matter, and the next hearing is scheduled for December 20."

This development comes shortly after the central government introduced the Waqf (Amendment) Bill in the Lok Sabha on August 8 this year, aimed at streamlining the operations of Waqf Boards and ensuring better management of their properties.

The bill has been referred to the Joint Parliamentary Committee (JPC) for further scrutiny. The concept of Waqf pertains to properties dedicated for religious or charitable purposes under Islamic law. The term "Waqf" is derived from the Arabic word "waqf," meaning "to stop" or "to hold in trust."

It refers to property that is donated for the welfare of the community, and it can include both movable and immovable assets. The properties held under Waqf are managed by Waqf Boards, which ensure that the funds are utilized for public welfare.