'Franchise' shrines have surfaced in Uttarakhand, showing the Waqf Board's occupation of government land.:A major revelation has been made in Uttarakhand regarding illegal shrines and Waqf Board registrations on government land. The investigation has revealed multiple "franchise" shrines belonging to the same saint. So far, more than 572 shrines have been demolished in the Dhami government's anti-encroachment drive.

News Topical, Digital Desk : The issue of illegally establishing shrines by occupying government land has heated up in Uttarakhand. A state government investigation has revealed that dozens of shrines have been built in various locations in the name of a single saint. The state is home to numerous "franchised" shrines of Bhure Shah and Kalu Syed, most of which were registered with the Waqf Board after encroaching on government land. According to investigation reports, there has been a sharp increase in Waqf properties since the state's formation. The Waqf Board registers 725 mosques and 769 graveyards, while only 203 shrines and dargahs are listed. Many of these shrines have no proven historical or religious significance.

Anti-encroachment drive in Uttarakhand

Many illegal shrines built on government land are now making headlines. Multiple shrines of the same saint are being seen in different locations. The "franchise" shrines of Bhure Shah and Kalu Syed have encroached upon government land and registered them with the Waqf Board . The board lists only 203 shrines and dargahs, but in reality, there are many more. Meanwhile, an anti-encroachment drive is underway in Uttarakhand. The government led by Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami is strict against illegal encroachments and has demolished more than 572 illegal shrines so far. Through bulldozer action, approximately 11,000 acres of government land has been freed in several areas, including Dehradun, Haridwar, and Mussoorie.

Illegal shrines were also demolished in Uttar Pradesh.

It should be noted that a major case related to illegal shrines has also come to light in Bahraich, Uttar Pradesh. Ten shrines built illegally within the medical college campus were demolished with a bulldozer. However, one shrine registered with the Waqf Board was spared during this action. The case concerned shrines built within the Maharaja Suheldev Autonomous State Medical College campus, where the 10 shrines were allegedly built on encroached land. City Magistrate Rajesh Prasad stated that the shrine managers had allegedly encroached approximately 2,000 square feet of land and had built 10 small and large shrines in addition to the shrine registered with the Waqf Board.