By Manzar Bilal, TwoCircles.net,
Patna: Today the Begumpur locality in Patna City area in Bihar’s capital city of Patna has no Muslim family as resident but has many Muslim heritage sites including palace still standing, reminding one that a Muslim nawab or emperor must have lived here once.
Yes, Begumpur was headquarters of Nawab Hebat Jung government. Nawab Hebat Jung was governor of Bihar during the Moghul period from 1716 to 1734. He was killed by an Afghan when he was offering prayer in 1734. The area was named after his wife Begum Sahiba. Though habitations over centuries have covered up many historic sites here Hebat Jung Masjid, Hebat Jung Qabristan (graveyard) and Hebat Jung Mazar (tomb) – that is inside the graveyard — also are still standing as witness to the Muslim footsteps here.
All these three places are located at a four-acre piece of land which was given under the protection of Bihar Waqf Board long ago. But unfortunately the Waqf Board failed to do any thing to protect these heritages, which resulted into falling down of the Masjid and boundary walls of the graveyard.
With the passage of time Muslims started to leave the area and finally it became a non-Muslim colony with Muslim name. Till before the 1992 nation-wide communal violence there were some Muslim families who would take care of the Masjid and graveyard but when violence broke out they were forced to leave the locality and migrate to some other place. Since then the Masjid has been deserted. More than half part of the Masjid has fallen down and the graveyard has become dens of tramp people. But the mazar has survived the onslaught of trespassers and neglect of the Waqf Board thanks to some local Hindus who believe their wishes are fulfilled at the mazar.
For the last few days there was news in almost all Urdu newspapers that some people are trying to sell this property illegally as this is the property of Waqf Board. To get to the fact, TCN visited the locality. We realized that it was the result of powerlessness as well as carelessness of the Waqf Board which gave a chance to ill-intention people to dare to think about its sale.
Talking to TwoCircles.net, Dusrab Gob, a local Hindu resident said: “Since last 35 years, I have been spending my most of the time at this Mazar but never saw any official of Waqf Board who came here to see the condition of this important place. But for last few days some people who claim to be descendants of Nawab sahib are busy in cutting off trees and I heard they are planning to sell the land.”
Another resident Ram Gopal said: “As it is the property of Waqf Board, they should take legal step for its protection. First time some people came here late night with ten young men to map the land and after few days they started to cut the trees. We are poor, so, we cannot fight with them but if Waqf Board takes any action we will fully support it as we give much respect to the Mazar.”
Syed Ausaf Imam, the Motawalli (caretaker) of Hebat Jang Masjid, said: “I have been informing the Waqf Board about all these things. Waqf Board wrote to the district collector on 01/07/2009 and again on 16/10/2009 and appealed the authorities to take action in this regard but so far no action has been taken.
When asked about those persons who want to sell the land, he told: “I do not know them but they are criminals who thought that they would sell the land with the help of Motawalli by giving them some share. But come what may, I will not let them succeed in their plan and I will use my all sources to save this property. I am sure that finally I will win the case because I have all the papers of the land.”
“According to 1999 Waqf Act, Waqf Board has no power to take any action on its own. It can only appeal and nothing else” said Imam, who is also descendant of Hebat Jung, in helpless tone.
“There is a need to make Waqf Board powerful so that it can protect the historical and religious places” he said adding “We also requested Chief minister Mr. Nitish Kumar to use his personal power to protect this historical place, but we are yet to see any development in this regard.”
He said that he has informed the SP and DSP about the matter and they promised to inquire into it and take action against those who were involved in cutting and selling the trees of the graveyard.
When TCN talked to chief executive officer of Bihar Sunni Waqf Board, Mr Abul Hassan about the matter he put all blame on Motawalli Syed Ausaf Imam and said that it is the result of his carelessness.
“There are so many properties which Waqf Board has to take care and Motawallis should be first person to act in this regard because Waqf Board can work only with their support. But unfortunately, Mr. Syed Ausaf is occupying the post but not ready to go to the place even with police” said Mr. Abul Hassan.
Abul Hassan, CEO of Bihar Sunni Waqf Board
“We have asked him time and again that if he is not able to perform his duty, he should resign. But neither he leaves the post nor carry out his responsibility” he added.
Mr. Abul Hassan showed us a bundle of letters which have been written to SP about the matter. “This is the only thing the board can do” he said.
“Now the police have started patrolling the area. They have visited the place. Therefore, criminals have got frightened and they have stopped visiting the place” he informed adding “We are trying our best to save the land and hope to get success.”
Islam as well as the 1995 Waqf Act does not allow anyone to sell Waqf properties. But so far none has been booked or charged in this land grabbing case. It is yet to be seen as to who succeeds in the case — criminals or Waqf Board.
[Photos by TCN]