Sangh Parivar shifts focus to Catholic Church land after passage of Waqf Bill
New Delhi: Following the successful passage of the controversial Waqf (Amendment) Bill in the Indian Parliament, attention within Sangh Parivar circles have begun to shift towards the extensive land holdings of the Catholic Church in India.
According to Kashmir Media Service, an article published on the web portal of Organiser, a magazine affiliated with the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS), has indirectly urged the Narendra Modi-led government to examine the vast tracts of land held by Catholic institutions across the country.
The article, titled “Who has more land in India? The Catholic Church vs Waqf Board Debate,” claims that Catholic institutions possess nearly 7 crore hectares of land, labeling the Church as the “largest non-governmental landowner” in India. The piece raises concerns about transparency and regulation of these holdings, echoing similar arguments that were used to justify the amendments to the Waqf Act.
While the article stops short of explicitly calling for legislative action or an official inquiry, its timing and tone indicate a strategic shift in focus within the Sangh Parivar. The passage of the Waqf (Amendment) Bill, which critics argue is aimed at increasing government control over Muslim religious endowments, has already sparked debates surrounding religious property rights and community autonomy.
The article may be laying the groundwork for future demands to scrutinize land held by Christian institutions, particularly the Catholic Church, which runs thousands of schools, hospitals, and charitable organizations across India.
The development comes amid growing concerns among minority communities regarding perceived targeting through legislative and administrative means. Critics warn that such narratives could further deepen communal divides within India.
