The Maharashtra government has faced backlash from the Vishva Hindu Parishad (VHP) over its decision to allocate ₹10 crore to the Waqf Board for the welfare of minorities in the financial year 24-25.
According to media reports, the VHP has accused the government of religious appeasement, claiming that this move would not have been made by even the previous Congress government. VHP Konkan division secretary Mohan Salekar warned that the Mahayuti parties would face the wrath of Hindus in upcoming elections if the decision was not reversed.
In response, Maharashtra BJP president Chandrashekhar Bawankule explained that the funds were allocated for the digitisation of the Waqf Board to rectify any wrongs in its records. He emphasized that the process would aid in identifying land that had been wrongfully acquired from Hindus, tribals, and backward classes.
Bawankule denied any allegations of community appeasement, stating that the digitisation process was necessary to fix errors and ensure fairness for all communities. The BJP had previously released ₹2 crore to the Waqf Board in Aurangabad, promising to disburse the remaining funds later.
The allocation of funds to the Waqf Board has sparked controversy in Maharashtra’s political landscape, with the VHP expressing strong opposition and the BJP defending the decision.
