The BJP and the ruling Congress engaged in a war of words after the Karnataka State Board of Waqfs claimed ownership of land of farmers in Vijayapura district. The farmers in Honvada village said they received a letter from Tehsildar on October 4, which stated that 1,500 acres of their ancestral land was being reassigned to the Waqf Board.
The BJP accused Karnataka Waqf Minister BZ Zameer Ahmed Khan of directing officials to register farmers' lands in Honvada village in favour of the Waqf Board within 15 days. The Congress responded, saying no land belonging to farmers would be taken away.
BJP MP Tejasvi Surya met the farmers in Honvada village on Friday and said they were served notices declaring their lands as waqf property "with no evidence or explanation provided".
"In recent months, farmers from the Vijayapura district have been served notices declaring their lands as waqf property, with no evidence or explanation provided. The extent of these claims is staggering, with nearly 1,500 acres claimed in a single village of Honavada," the BJP leader said.
"Khan recently visited and directed the deputy commissioner and revenue officials to register lands in favour of the Waqf Board within 15 days, with the aim to circumventing the reforms being brought in by PM Narendra Modi-led government through the Waqf (Amendment) Bill, 2024," he alleged.
Union Minister and BJP leader Pralhad Joshi also said that a majority of poor Muslims are also suffering because of the present provisions in the Waqf Act.
"Whatever has happened in Vijayapura cannot be accepted, and it is happening in many parts of Karnataka. In Vijayapura, almost every farmer has received notices which cannot be accepted. Zameer Ahmed Khan is not bothered about the farmers, he is bothered about his votes," he said.
BJP MLA from Vijayapura Basangouda Patil Yatnal said he would challenge the Waqf Board decision in court.
"Our team has decided to challenge and contest the tyrannical move of the Waqf Board in the Hon'ble High Court by filing a writ petition. I request the farmers of Vijayapura to send a copy of the notice received from the Waqf Board and supporting documents so that our legal team can prepare the documentation," Yatnal tweeted.
WHAT DID THE CONGRESS SAY?
After the farmers protested against the Tehsildar's order, Waqf Minister Zameer Ahmed Khan said the notices were issued because the land is a waqf property.
"If it is waqf property, only then we will issue the notice. Why will we give notice unnecessarily? Be it farmers, government or anybody, we will issue the notice. As it is waqf property, we need to claim it. Let them (farmers) fight legally," the minister said.
"Will you remain silent if anyone encroaches on your property? Let them fight legally," he added.
After BJP MP Tejasvi Surya raised the farmers' issue, Zameer Ahmed Khan accused the opposition party of politicising the issue.
"We cannot take away anyone's land. Is it possible? Unnecessary issues are being raised. Yatnal spoke about this last week and I invited him to come to the District Collector's office for a meeting with the farmers. But he didn't turn up," he said.
Zameer Ahmed Khan said most of the land Waqf Board possesses in Karnataka has been encroached, mainly by Muslims only.
"The BJP wants to bring in amendments to the Waqf Act and now these issues are being unnecessarily raised. We care for the farmers, and we cannot take away anyone's land," he said.
Cabinet minister MB Patil also met the farmers in the Honvada village and assured them their land wouldn't be taken away if they have the relevant documents.
"I assured them (farmers) that not even one inch of land which belongs to them will go to the Waqf Board," Patil said.
"I am going to hold a meeting for 10-12 days and I have given a checklist of what documents are needed. I have taken a legal opinion also. Get all these documents and accordingly, we will take a decision," he added.
