We should be rehabilitated, say Tipu descendants

KARNATAKA:

Tipu descendant Rahimunissa and husband Mansoor Ali (second and third from left)

Bengaluru: 

In the backdrop of the dissolution of the Tipu Sultan Waqf Estate (TSWE) which was chaired by Congress MLA Tanveer Sait, descendants of Tipu Sultan suggested that the new committee should rehabilitate all of them using revenue generated from said properties.

They added that they should especially get some monetary benefit from the properties for essential matters like health care and education. They also demanded establishment of a library and a research centre, which would deal with Tipu’s history.

They also said that historical structures could do with better upkeep, for which at least four of them be made members of the new committee when it is formed. Mansoor Ali, who is married to Rahimunissa, a descendant of the 18th century sultan from one of his younger sons, said that he was thankful to the Waqf Tribunal for its judgement, which was favourable to them. “We will approach the government and demand rehabilitation of the entire family,” he said.

“Instead of asking votes in the name of Tipu Sultan, at least give minimum help by way of medical and educational help to the family of Tipu Sultan who are in difficulty. We are not demanding palaces, nor are we demanding properties.

We are saying that we be included in the managing committee, which deals with the upkeep of places like Masjide-Aalaa and religious activities,” he added. Mansoor said that the earlier committee hadn’t been following waqf by-laws. “We had approached the High Court who referred the matter to the Waqf Tribunal. In 2021, Rahimunissa told the court that the committee (TSWE) has not been made according to the by-laws.

As per the rules, the committee should not have a chairman for more than two terms. It ought not to have two vice chairmen. The Secretary should be an ex-official. There should be an audit report every 11 months. There should be a meeting every month because they are heritage properties. There should have been a research centre and a library.

“Despite these deficiencies, he (Sait) used his political influence, as an MLA, as a Waqf Board member to violate by-laws and misused his power. However, we got justice from the judiciary. When he claimed that we were not real descendants, we produced documents to prove that as well,” he said.

source: http://www.newstrailindia.com / News Trail / Home / by NT Correspondent / January 14th, 2023