Chandigarh: A Muslim organisation on Sunday demanded a single Wakf Board for Punjab, Haryana, Himachal Pradesh and Chandigarh.

Jamiat Ulema-e-Hind today favoured restoration of Punjab, Haryana, Himachal Pradesh and Chandigarh Wakf Boards to its earlier form that existed before 2003, prior to the trifurcation of the board.
"The way Punjab Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal is advocating single Shiromani Gurudwara Parbandhak Committee (SGPC) for Punjab and Haryana, the Jamait also wants that all the states be brought under single Wakf Board," said Maulana Arshad Madni, president of Jamiat Ulema-e-Hind. He claimed that in 2009, the Centre Wakf Board directed that Punjab Wakf Board be re-constituted on old pattern wherein the boards of Punjab, Haryana, Himachal Pradesh and Chandigarh be brought under one umbrella.
Madni also demanded that instead of giving land for education and religious purposes on lease, the government should permanently transfer land in name of concerned organisations and make it free hold. Encroachments made on places related to Muslim community should be immediately vacated and further encroachments should be stopped, Madni demanded.
Madni also expressed concerns over the lack of education among Muslim children. PTI