War of words as ASI says Waqf making claims on its monuments

The Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) on Friday presented a list of over 120 monuments, which are officially under its protection but are claimed by different state Waqf boards, before the parliamentary panel examining the Waqf (Amendment) Act but drew criticism from the opposition members for its contention that these Muslim bodies can claim any property as theirs.

Sharp words were exchanged during the first session of the meeting between some of the opposition and the BJP members, and the ASI faced piercing questions from both sides, sources said.

While the opposition members accused the Culture Ministry, which supervises the ASI and was represented by its secretary, of "misleading" the panel's members and pedThe Ahmad Shah's tomb in Ahmednagar, Maharashtra, was among the 120 monuments presented by the ASI in the meeting dling "WhatsApp university" misinformation with its claim that Waqf Boards can declare ownership over any property.

Sources said the ASI's presentation included a list of 53 monuments claimed by Waqf. Some of them were declared as Waqf properties almost a century after the ASI, whose history predates the country's independence, monuments.

• Sources said the ASI's presentation included a list of 53 monuments claimed by Waqf