Hyderabad's Muslim Community Struggles to Find Burial Space Amid Land Encroachments
In the bustling city of Hyderabad, the rising real estate values and illegal encroachments have led to a critical shortage of burial space for the Muslim community, making burials an increasingly expensive and challenging affair.
HyderabadMuslim GraveyardsReal EstateLand EncroachmentsBurialsReal Estate NewsMay 18, 2025
The last few years saw the rise of this trend as the real estate value has hit the roof in the city. According to some Wakf activists, illegal encroachments on graveyards have led to several Gazette Notified Muslim graveyards being declared full, with no space for more burials. “Many Muslim graveyards are under the control of land grabbers where dead bodies are not allowed to be buried. People are facing a lot of difficulties in finding burial space,” said Nayeemullah Shareef of Waqf Properties Protection Cell. As a result, burials have become costly affairs. Kin of the deceased have to shell out anything from Rs 10,000 to Rs one lakh, depending on the spiritual value attached to the graveyard. Things will become easier if a family member lies buried in a grave and the family agrees to bury the new victim in the same grave.
Taking advantage of the situation, caretakers of the graveyards are selling old grave space for up to Rs 30,000. The rates are higher in graveyards inside big dargah premises. “I request the state government to conduct a survey of Muslim graveyards in the city and remove all illegal encroachments. Graveyard caretakers must be asked to fix nominal charges for burial spaces, while those charging exorbitant amounts must face criminal charges,” demanded another activist, Mohd Habeebuddin.
Habeeb pointed out that graveyards are vanishing in upmarket areas like Puppalguda due to rapid urbanisation. As per the Gazette published in 1984, the area is more than nine acres. “This graveyard has now shrunk to 100 sq yards. This is the scale of encroachment with active political backing,” alleged Habeeb.
In the past, the Wakf Board has been accused of collusion with land grabbers. The graveyard committee of Dargah Syed Ali Kulle Shah Darvesh at Petbasheerabad under Quthbullapur alleged that whatever remained of the graveyard fell into the hands of land sharks, with the active connivance of a Wakf inspector and its CEO in 2020. The committee had alleged that the Wakf Board had not only failed to protect its interests but its officials were in nexus with the builder, who approached the High Court claiming the land parcel meant for the graveyard at Survey No.39 of Petbasheerabad.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is causing the shortage of burial space for Muslims in Hyderabad?
The shortage of burial space for Muslims in Hyderabad is primarily caused by the rising real estate values and illegal encroachments on graveyards. This has led to several graveyards being declared full and under the control of land grabbers.
How much can a burial cost in Hyderabad's Muslim graveyards?
Burials in Hyderabad's Muslim graveyards can cost anywhere from Rs 10,000 to Rs one lakh, depending on the spiritual value attached to the graveyard. Caretakers are also selling old grave spaces for up to Rs 30,000.
What has the government been asked to do to address this issue?
Activists have requested the state government to conduct a survey of Muslim graveyards in the city and remove all illegal encroachments. They have also demanded that graveyard caretakers fix nominal charges for burial spaces, while those charging exorbitant amounts should face criminal charges.
How has urbanisation affected Muslim graveyards in upmarket areas like Puppalguda?
Urbanisation has led to the vanishing of graveyards in upmarket areas like Puppalguda. For example, a graveyard that was over nine acres in 1984 has now shrunk to just 100 sq yards due to encroachments with active political backing.
What allegations have been made against the Wakf Board?
The Wakf Board has been accused of collusion with land grabbers. The graveyard committee of Dargah Syed Ali Kulle Shah Darvesh at Petbasheerabad alleged that the remaining graveyard land fell into the hands of land sharks with the active connivance of a Wakf inspector and its CEO in 2020.
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