Except as provided in this Act, it shall not be lawful 1*** for 2[the Central Government or any State
Government], or for any officer of any Government in his official character,
to undertake or resume the superintendence of any land or other property granted for the support of, or otherwise belonging to, any mosque, temple or other religious establishment, or
to take any part in the management or, appropriation of any endowment made for the maintenance of any such mosque, temple or other establishment, or
to nominate or appoint any trustee, manager or superintendent thereof, or to be in any way concerned therewith3 .
to undertake or resume the superintendence of any land or other property granted for the support of, or otherwise belonging to, any mosque, temple or other religious establishment, or
to take any part in the management or, appropriation of any endowment made for the maintenance of any such mosque, temple or other establishment, or
to nominate or appoint any trustee, manager or superintendent thereof, or to be in any way concerned therewith3 .
1. The words "after the passing of this Act" rep. by Act 16 of 1874, s. 1 and the Schedule (w.e.f. 16-12-1874).
2. Subs. by the A.O. 1948, for "any Govt. in Indiadb".
3. A proviso to s. 22 has been added to apply only to Bengal by the Bengal Waqf Act, 1934 (Ben. Act 13 of 1934).