Chief Minister Dr. Mohan Yadav announced that a new building for the State Waqf Board will be constructed in Bhopal. The building will be named after former President Dr. A.P.J. Abdul Kalam. He made this announcement during the Waqf Reform Public Awareness Campaign held at Samatva Bhavan (Chief Minister's Residence).
Dr. Yadav stated that Waqf properties are charitable endowments and must be used for the benefit of society. The new Waqf law has been amended with this principle in mind. The revised law corrects previous anomalies and ensures the protection of Waqf properties.
The Chief Minister praised Prime Minister Narendra Modi's globally appreciated efforts and said that the respect he commands in Arab countries like Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Iraq, and Iran is a matter of national pride.
He further remarked that in the face of external threats, all political parties and leaders across India unite - a reflection of India's unity and strength. Commenting on historical context, he noted that those who left India during the 1947 partition are called "Muhajirs" in Pakistan and live under difficult conditions. He also warned society to beware of clever and self-serving individuals, illustrating his point with a folk tale about snake-charmer selling toothpaste using the pretext of a mongoose-snake fight.
Chief Minister Dr. Yadav said that Madhya Pradesh Waqf Board is a model for the entire country. He appreciated Minority Welfare Minister Krishna Gaur, Board Chairman, Sanwar Patel, and departmental officials for their commendable work. He directed officials to develop welfare schemes in the interest of the community, assuring that the state would provide its 40% share, while 60% is funded by the central government. He also promised to resolve the issues related to salary disbursement for Waqf Board employees.
Minister of State for Backward Classes and Minority Welfare (Independent Charge) Krishna Gaur stated that Madhya Pradesh is the first state in the country to register all Waqf properties on the National Portal under the new amendment act. The efforts of the State Waqf Board and the Department of Minority Welfare have been recognised by a team from IIT Delhi, which advises the Ministry of Minority Affairs, Government of India.
She informed that the digitisation of original records maintained by the State Waqf Board has been completed. Details of Waqf land are being documented and surveyed using GPS with the help of the Revenue Department. Additionally, systems are being developed for financial flow management, human resource deployment, and court case tracking for better governance of Waqf assets.
Gaur noted that the amended Waqf Bill would resolve longstanding discrepancies and enable the beneficial use of Waqf properties for the public good, making Madhya Pradesh a national example in Waqf reform.
Chairman of the Madhya Pradesh Waqf Board, Sanwar Patel, elaborated on the board's ongoing initiatives and explained the various provisions of the amended law. The event was attended by Olympian hockey player Sameer Daad, scholars, religious leaders, and members of the intelligentsia.