New Delhi

When a woman has to run around courts and offices to save her ancestral land, and she faces intimidation despite having all documented evidence to prove her contention, it poses a serious challenge to the Indian legal system.

Shamim Bano of Ujjain, Madhya Pradesh is facing the same situation while continuing her long, and arduous struggle against this injustice, with courage and faith in the system.

Shamim Bano, a Muslim woman, is the legal heir of the land which is being claimed by the local Waqf authorities.

This land --  a 4000 square feet plot located in Gali No. 3, Khairdiaman, Topkhana, Ujjain -- is registered in the name of her grandfather Mohammad Hafiz in 1935. Every document of its ownership --  registration, mutation, and tax receipts -- is in her possession -

Now 1800 square feet of this land has been occupied in the name of a fictitious 'Masjid Khair'. There is no old religious structure, no place of worship, no Waqf records - only claims, pressure, and documentary fraud.

It turned even more serious when a fake donation deed was prepared in the name of Shamim Bano, showing that she had declared the land as Waqf property.

When Shamim Bano raised her voice in Delhi, she got support from the National Convenor of Muslim Rashtriya Manch, Dr. Shalini Ali.

Understanding the seriousness of the matter, Dr. Shalini introduced her to the Manch's mentor Indresh Kumar.

Indresh Kumar told her, "Shamim Bano is not alone. The Waqf which was created for the rights of helpless Muslims, if it becomes a tool to usurp the property of women today, then it is unacceptable. The purpose of Waqf is service, not possession."

He further added, "This is not the fight of one woman from Ujjain, it is the voice of thousands of people who are being suppressed in the name of religion. Together we have to implement the Wakf Amendment Act honestly so that transparency and accountability can be established."

Indresh Kumar assured on behalf of the forum, "Now no woman will fight alone. No officer or maulana will be considered above the law. A thorough investigation will be conducted and the forum will provide all kinds of help - legal, social, and administrative."

The silence of the Waqf Board in this entire matter is the most worrying. Has the Waqf Board now become the "Waqf Mafia Board"? An attempt is being made to silence a woman by threatening her that "speaking against the mosque is haram." This is not just a question of Shamim Bano's land, this is a warning of the silent and oppressed society that is being forced to remain silent despite having the papers.

Dr. Shalini Ali courageously brought this pain to the national stage. She said, "No woman can be deprived of her constitutional rights in the name of religion or institution. Muslim Rashtriya Manch stands with every woman who is fighting for her existence."

Shamim Bano has placed four important demands before the government:

Judicial and forensic investigation of the fake donation deed should be conducted and the culprits should be arrested.

Shamim Bano and her family should be provided security.

Wherever there is illegal construction and encroachment, there should be immediate administrative action.

The role of the Wakf Board should be independently investigated and the guilty officials should be punished.

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This is not just a matter of a woman's land, but it is the call of a consciousness that is saying - if we do not wake up even today, then tomorrow this injustice will spread in every street. Now the decision has to be taken by the government, administration, and the conscience of the society - will they stand against this injustice, or will they become partners in silence?