Residents of Tamil Nadu to Protest Land Claims on Independence Day

In Tamil Nadu's Dharmapuri district, residents from four villages are gearing up for a hunger strike on Independence Day to protest against land claims made by the Waqf Board. They argue that these claims threaten their ancestral agricultural lands, which have been in their families for generations. The situation has escalated tensions in the area, with local political representatives joining the cause. The residents fear economic distress and displacement if the issue remains unresolved. This protest could potentially transform the local land dispute into a broader political issue, drawing significant attention and participation.

By Narendra Chaudhary Aug 13, 2025, 12:18 IST

Hunger Strike Against Waqf Board Land Claims

Chennai, Aug 13: A contentious land dispute in the Chettikarai Panchayat of Dharmapuri district, Tamil Nadu, has led residents from four villages to organize a one-day hunger strike on Independence Day. This protest is aimed at opposing the land claims made by the Waqf Board under the Waqf (Amendment) Act.

The unrest arises from accusations that the Waqf Board is asserting ownership over agricultural lands that locals believe have been passed down through generations. On Tuesday, residents from Rajapettai, Kottaimedu, Khan Nagar, and Pallagollai convened at the Dharmapuri Collectorate, supported by local MLAs S.P. Venkateshwaran and A. Govidasamy.

The group presented petitions requesting the repeal of the Act, claiming it has effectively halted land transactions in their communities.

According to the petitioners, more than 51 survey numbers across the four villages have been designated under the Waqf Board’s jurisdiction, obstructing any sales or transfers.

Farmers assert they have been denied essential chitta and adangal revenue documents, which are crucial for registering their land and conducting regular agricultural business.

A Chettikarai resident, who wished to remain anonymous, expressed that this situation has caught families off guard, despite having legal revenue records that date back over 125 years.

“Suddenly, we are informed that our lands are owned by the Waqf Board. Nearly a hundred farming families now find themselves without access to their own properties,” he stated.

He further claimed that revenue officials are demanding a ‘No Objection Certificate’ from the Waqf Board for any land-related documentation.

“Our livelihoods have been severely impacted. This Act has devastated us,” he added.

He confirmed his intention to participate in the protest on Independence Day. The residents contend that the Waqf Board’s claims lack merit and have called on the district administration to take a definitive stance against the Act.

They are concerned that if the issue remains unresolved, the affected farmers may experience increasing economic hardship and potential displacement.

District administration officials, however, refrained from commenting on the matter, citing its sensitive nature.

With political leaders rallying behind the cause and tensions escalating in the villages, the upcoming hunger strike on August 15 is anticipated to attract considerable participation, potentially escalating the local dispute into a significant political issue.