Bharuch: The Samast Sanatani Hindu Samaj of Bharuch has raised concerns over the Waqf website displaying the city’s historic Batuknath Vyayam Shala as a Waqf property.

In a recent press conference, the trustee of Batuknath Vyayam Shala, Pinakin Rajput, and Prakash Modi, stated that the Shala was established in 1913 by the freedom-fighting Purani brothers. Additionally, the government revenue records list the property in the name of Batuknath Vyayam Shala. This raises the question of how this property is being shown as Waqf property on the website.

Krunal Chavda, an advocate, said, “It has come to light that in Bharuch, there is a scam involving the confiscation of properties using the Waqf Act or its provisions. If you look at the Waqf website, you will find that 1,426 properties are listed as Waqf property. Four other such properties, which belong to the government, have been shown as Waqf property on the website. Records must be checked to determine how these properties, which belong to trusts or the government, have been listed as Waqf property. Have any rules and laws been followed? Has the law been used illegally for personal gain? If such things are happening, then the Waqf Act should be repealed.”

Trustee of the Shala, Pinakin Rajput, said, “According to the city survey records, plots 2060-1 and 2060 are in the name of Batuknath Vyayam Shala, but on the Waqf website, they are shown as Waqf property. We were surprised to see this and wonder under which process or law this has taken place. This is a very serious matter, as the pride of Bharuch, Vyayam Shala, has been subjected to encroachment. We will not let this happen and will fight against it.” DeshGujarat