Catholic Church Owns 7 Crore Hectares More Land Than Waqf, RSS Urges Government’s Attention
An English magazine tied to the Rashtriya Swayamsewak Sangh (RSS), Organiser, has taken down an article comparing land ownership between Catholic churches and the Waqf board. The move came after Rahul Gandhi, the Leader of Opposition, accused the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) of shifting its focus to target Christians following its actions against Muslims.
This development aligns with the Narendra Modi government’s recent passage of the Waqf (Amendment) Bill 2025, a law that reshapes the regulation of Waqf properties—Islamic charitable endowments aimed at community welfare. The bill grants states authority over Waqf land decisions and excludes tribal and archaeological lands from Waqf jurisdiction.
During parliamentary debates in the Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha, opposition MPs warned that the legislation zeroes in on Waqf properties and could soon extend to other communities, including Christians. Notably, the Kerala Catholic Bishops’ Council endorsed the bill.
Churches vs. Waqf: The Article’s Claims
The removed article, titled “Who Has More Land in India? The Catholic Churches Vs Waqf Board Debate,” claimed that Catholic churches own over 7 crore hectares, positioning them as India’s largest non-governmental landowner. It urged the BJP-led central government to take note, estimating the value of church properties at ₹20,000 crore, surpassing the Waqf board’s holdings in India’s real estate landscape.
Challenging the common perception that the Waqf board ranks as the second-largest landowner after the government, the article cited data from the Government Land Information website. It argued that the Catholic Church, with vast land spread nationwide, holds the top spot among non-governmental entities.
Opposition Fires Back
Rahul Gandhi condemned the article, calling it evidence of the BJP’s pattern of targeting minorities. On social media platform X, he wrote, “I had said the Waqf Bill attacks Muslims now but sets a precedent to target other communities later. It didn’t take long for the RSS to focus on Christians. The Constitution is our only shield against such attacks, and we must defend it together.”
Congress leader Ramesh Chennithala also blasted Organiser for what he termed a “highly deplorable” piece. He stated, “During the Waqf Bill’s passage, Congress and Rahul Gandhi warned that Christians would be next. The article claims the Catholic community holds 7 crore acres—17.29 crore acres total—worth ₹20,000 crore. The BJP wants to control Waqf properties now and Catholic properties next.”
Editor’s Defense
Organiser editor Prafull Ketkar dismissed the uproar, saying the article was an old story reignited by the Waqf bill. He accused Congress of fear-mongering through the media, unable to address Christian discontent over the party’s bill stance or Muslim anger over Priyanka Gandhi’s absence during the vote. Ketkar redirected attention to the Munambam issue, where villagers have protested for 175 days against the Kerala Waqf board’s claim to over 400 acres they’ve lived on for generations. Another Organiser article noted the residents’ accusations of land usurpation under the Waqf Act.