In Tamil Nadu’s Vellore district, a tense situation is unfolding as nearly 150 families in Kattukollai village, Anaikattu Taluk, have been served notices claiming their agricultural land belongs to the Waqf Board. These families, who have been cultivating the same land for over four generations, were left shocked and distressed after receiving the notices. In response, the villagers staged a protest and marched to the Vellore District Collector’s office, demanding a clear explanation and immediate protection of their land rights.

The notice, issued in the name of Syed Ali Sultan Shah Dargah in February, alleges that the land falls under the ownership of the local dargah and is registered as Waqf property. As per the document, the families are now required to either enter into a rental agreement with the Dargah or vacate their land. Failing to do so would mean that the land is considered encroached under Waqf laws and subject to recovery.

Citing Survey Number 330/1 in Kottukollai, the Waqf Board has insisted that this land legally belongs to the Syed Ali Sultan Shah Dargah. The February notice clearly directs residents to “either vacate the land or enter into a rental agreement with the Dargah.” For the locals, this sudden claim has thrown their lives into chaos, igniting fears of eviction and loss of livelihood.

On April 15, the villagers, along with members of Hindu Munnani, a Hindu organization supporting their cause, submitted a memorandum at the Vellore District Collector’s office. The residents, visibly distressed, voiced their concerns, stating that their only source of income was now under threat. Some villagers came forward with their government-authorized land documents, hoping to prove ownership and protect their ancestral homes and fields.

“This land is our only source of livelihood, and now we are being told to vacate it or pay rent to the Dargah. It has created fear and confusion,” said one local farmer, reflecting the growing panic and uncertainty gripping the village.

Mahesh, a leader from Hindu Munnani who led the protestors to the collectorate, firmly stood by the villagers. He demanded that patta (ownership certificates) be immediately issued to the families in question. “These families possess valid government-issued documents. This sudden declaration of Waqf ownership is unjust and unacceptable,” he said.

The notice’s terms have left villagers alarmed—either they comply and pay rent to the Waqf Board or be treated as illegal occupants. This sweeping move has raised serious questions about land rights, record verification, and the role of the Waqf Board in claiming large parcels of land already occupied and cultivated by generational farmers.

The anxiety among Kattukollai villagers only deepened as they gathered in large numbers and marched to the Vellore District Collector's office once again. Their objective was clear—to submit a formal memorandum and press for urgent government intervention in the ongoing land ownership dispute. Supported by Hindu Munnani, a Hindu organization, the residents raised serious concerns about their security and the legality of the claims made against their ancestral lands. According to them, several among the affected families already hold official land ownership documents issued by the government.

“This land is our only source of livelihood, and now we are being told to vacate it or pay rent to the Dargah. This has created fear and confusion,” said one of the local farmers, capturing the rising distress in the village.

Mahesh, the Hindu Munnani leader who has stood by the villagers since the beginning, reiterated their demands. He called on the administration to step in and secure the rights of the people who have lived there for decades. “These families have lived here for decades with valid documents. Now suddenly, Survey Number 330/1 is being declared Waqf land. We urge the administration to issue official patta (ownership certificates) to the residents and protect their rights,” he insisted.

As the land conflict grew more visible, political voices began to emerge. Hasan Maulana, a Congress MLA from Velachery, commented on the situation by stating that villagers may be required to pay a small rent —“a nominal rent”— if the Waqf Board can support its ownership claim with valid documentation. His remark, “Once a Waqf, always a Waqf,” drew both attention and criticism, highlighting how contentious and sensitive the matter has become.

According to the notices received by the villagers, a person named F Syed Sadam is behind the claim. He argues that the land in Kattukollai rightfully belongs to a local dargah and has been part of the Waqf Board’s property since 1954. He also stated that they have documents to prove this ownership. This has sparked serious friction, especially since the villagers insist they have been living and farming there for generations without any dispute until now.

This land row is not an isolated case. It closely mirrors the earlier incident in Thiruchendurai village in Tiruchirappalli district, where the Tamil Nadu Waqf Board claimed ownership of nearly 480 acres of land in 2022. That land even included the 1,500-year-old Chola-era Sundareswarar Temple, and residents were informed that they could not sell their properties without a No-Objection Certificate (NOC) from the Waqf Board. This led to massive public outrage and confusion.

Further, the Waqf Board has reportedly laid claim to 389 acres in 18 villages across Tamil Nadu, based on a government survey from 1954. This issue escalated to the national stage and was debated in Parliament during discussions on the Waqf (Amendment) Bill.

Following a 12-hour-long debate, the Waqf (Amendment) Bill was passed in both the Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha, eventually receiving Presidential assent on April 5, 2025. The updated Waqf Act is supposed to bring more transparency, decentralize Waqf property management, and ensure better coordination with local authorities. It also claims to protect heritage sites and welfare-oriented properties. However, the law has not been without backlash.

In Chennai, more than 10,000 people participated in a rally organized by Tamil Nadu Thowheed Jamath (TNTJ), demanding that the Waqf (Amendment) Act, 2025 be repealed. They argued that the law infringes upon Muslims’ rights and freedoms.

The Kattukollai conflict has also gained the attention of prominent political figures. Actor-politician Vijay, who heads the Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK), has reportedly challenged the Waqf Amendment Act in the Supreme Court, aligning with Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK) on this issue. Many critics believe that although the amendment was intended to solve disputes, it could now actually make it more difficult for ordinary villagers to reclaim their land.

At the same time, some villagers and observers are cautiously hopeful. They believe that the new Act might finally bring clarity and secure protections for all stakeholders, though no one is sure yet how the law will work on the ground.

As the conflict continues, the only thing that remains constant is uncertainty. Legal proceedings and official investigations are likely to unfold in the coming weeks, and the villagers of Kattukollai remain firm in their demand for official patta (ownership certificates)—documents they believe are essential for their livelihood, identity, and survival.