Land Dispute in Tamil Nadu’s Kattukollai: Villagers Protest Waqf Property Claims

A major land ownership conflict has surfaced in Kattukollai village near Vellore, Tamil Nadu, where over 150 families have received notices from the Syed Ali Sultan Shah Dargah in Virinchipuram, demanding rent for allegedly occupying Waqf land. The caretaker of the dargah, F Syed Satham, claims that the land has belonged to the Waqf Board since 1954, and he has issued a notice instructing the villagers to pay the rent for their occupied land to the Dhargah.  Satham, who inherited the position from his father in 2021, insists he possesses valid documentation to support the claim and emphasizes that only land rent is being sought—not rent for buildings or other amenities.

The affected villagers, however, strongly dispute the claim, asserting that they have been living in Kattukollai for four generations with government-issued documents, including property registrations and tax records. They approached the Vellore District Collector for intervention, supported by members of the Hindu Munnani, a right-wing organization. Praveen Kumar, a Hindu Munnani functionary, said the villagers have long paid taxes and have documentation proving government ownership of the land. He criticized the Waqf Board’s claim as baseless and politically motivated.

The issue gained traction after the recent passage of the Waqf (Amendment) Bill, 2025, in Parliament, which aims to bring more transparency and accountability in managing Waqf properties. Critics argue that the bill might embolden similar claims across Tamil Nadu and beyond. BJP MLA Vanathi Srinivasan commented that such conflicts are not isolated incidents and that the new Waqf Act seeks to prevent such disputes by clarifying land ownership rights.

Vellore District Collector V R Subbulakshmi has since initiated talks with both the dargah and the villagers, advising the residents not to pay any rent until a proper investigation is conducted. This is not the first instance of Waqf-related land claims in Tamil Nadu. A similar controversy occurred in 2022 when the Tamil Nadu Waqf Board claimed ownership of 400 acres in Tiruchendurai village, including land surrounding a historic Chola-era temple.

The outcome of this ongoing dispute could have significant implications for similar claims across the state, especially in light of the recent legislative changes.