Illegally Built Madrassa Voluntarily Demolished in Panna Following Waqf (Amendment) Act, 2025

Bhopal, April 13:
In a landmark move following the passage of the Waqf (Amendment) Act, 2025, an illegally constructed madrassa in Madhya Pradesh’s Panna district was voluntarily demolished by its operators on Saturday. The structure, located in BD Colony, had reportedly been operating without legal sanction for the past 30 years.

According to administrative officials, several notices had been issued over the years, but the operator had failed to comply. The latest action was prompted by a complaint from a local resident belonging to the Muslim community, which was forwarded by BJP state president VD Sharma.

Authorities confirmed that the madrassa was built on government land, and residents and social workers had long raised objections over its illegal status. Despite repeated complaints, no concrete action had been taken until now.

However, the newly enacted Waqf (Amendment) Act, 2025—which strengthens regulations on unauthorized religious structures on public land—triggered swift action. Officials stated that the operator voluntarily brought down the structure using a bulldozer, ahead of any administrative intervention.

This is the first reported case of voluntary compliance under the revised law, and officials believe it sets a precedent for similar actions across the state. Local authorities have welcomed the move, calling it a “step towards lawful land use and community harmony.”