GORAKHPUR, April 12 -- Deputy chief minister Keshav Prasad Maurya on Saturday said the amended Waqf Act will pave the way for freeing vast stretches of land from the grip of "waqf mafias." He alleged that nearly 90% of Muslim land had been encroached upon under the cover of waqf properties and the Waqf Board, calling the amendment a necessary step to reclaim such land for public welfare.

He was addressing a public conference organised by the Kushwaha, Shakya, Saini, and Maurya Maha Sangh at the Junior High School ground in Padrauna town of Kushinagar district.

Targeting the Samajwadi Party, Maurya said the party's PDA (Pichda, Dalit, Alpsankhyak) slogan failed to reflect in its governance. "Once in power, the SP chief forgets the backwa...