Bengaluru: Upping the ante following allegations by a section of farmers and others in Karnataka that their lands were marked as Waqf properties, the BJP on Friday held protests in various districts including here, targeting the ruling Congress government in the state over the issue.
The demonstrations were held under the slogan ‘Namma Bhoomi Namma Hakku’ (Our land, Our Right) at Bengaluru, Mandya, Vijayapura, Hassan, Dharwad, Madikeri, Mysuru, Mangaluru and Koppal, among several other places.
In Bengaluru the protest at the Freedom Park was led by Leader of Opposition in the Legislative Assembly R Ashoka and Union Minister Shobha Karandlaje. Party MLC C T Ravi, Member of Parliament P C Mohan among several other leaders participated.
Over the past few months, farmers in multiple districts across Karnataka came forward alleging that their lands were incorrectly marked as Waqf properties, prompting widespread outrage. Religious institutions such as Mutts also raised concerns over such land classification.
In response to the backlash, Chief Minister Siddaramaiah recently instructed officials to revoke all notices issued to farmers and nullify unauthorised changes in land records. However, the BJP accused the Congress government of mishandling the issue and targeting poor farmers.
BJP state president BY Vijayendra took a sharp dig at the government, alleging that controversial notices were issued at Siddaramaiah’s behest. Vijayendra said, “In the name of Waqf, poor farmers should not be cheated, and their land should not be taken away.”
The BJP leader also criticised the Congress administration for suspending central schemes, freezing constituency development funds, and implementing policies that allegedly harm the poor, including increases in milk prices, fuel costs, stamp duty, and government hospital fees.
Vijayendra accused the government of failing to fulfil its poll guarantees while halting development across all 224 constituencies. “No MLAs are receiving grants for local projects. Development has come to a standstill,” he claimed.
He further pointed to public discontent over the cancellation of 12 lakh BPL cards, calling the move “unscientific” and alleging that cards were revoked solely based on PAN card ownership, affecting genuine beneficiaries.
The BJP has announced plans for senior leaders to tour Karnataka in December to rally support against the government’s alleged mishandling of the Waqf land issue. Vijayendra expressed confidence in BJP’s prospects in upcoming elections, predicting wins in Sandur and Shiggaon while voicing support for JD(S) candidate Nikhil Kumaraswamy in Channapatna.
