Having failed to resolve the old burning issues, the Madhya Pradesh Waqf Board (MPWB) has raked up yet another controversy by dragging the issue of Bhopal Rubaat (Royal Waqf Accommodation in Saudi Arabia).

While addressing mediapersons here on Monday, MPWB chairman Shokat Mohammed Khan alleged that the Bhopal royals were emotionally blackmailing the people of the city over the issue of Rubats in holy cities of Mecca and Medina in Saudi Arabia.

Khan said that the Shahi Auqaf (Royal Waqf), perturbed over the Enforcement Directorate (ED) investigations against it, has levelled baseless charges against the Board and in the process, doubts had been raised over the integrity of Saudi Government and people that were considered sacred in Islam. “Doubting over Saudi people and Government reflects the bad intents of the royals and an insult to the sacred Islamic state,” Khan added.

However, the Board chairman remained mum over the questions of missing graveyards and forcible possession of Waqf properties by the BJP leaders. Notably, on earlier occasion also the MPWB erupted controversy over a prime Waqf property Bagh Nuzhat Afza now known as Arif Nagar and failed to resolve the issue till now.

Now in order to cover up its failures the board has come up with yet another issue, which many doubt, does not even come under its purview.  Elders of the community are of the view that by dragging the sensitive issue in the centre of controversy, the board is trying to create atmosphere against the Bhopal royals in the city to gain cheap publicity and to defame the Bhopal royal family.  

Bhopal’s Begums had built these palatial accommodations in Mecca and Medina for the pilgrims from the then princely state that included Bhopal, Sehore and Raisen. The head of Auqaf-e-Shahi has discretionary powers to provide the free accommodation there.