Bengaluru: Upping the ante following allegations by a section of farmers in certain parts of Karnataka that their lands were marked as Waqf properties, BJP on Monday held a state-wide protest, accusing the ruling Congress government of indulging in “land jihad”.
The opposition party also demanded the sacking of Waqf Minister Zameer Ahmed Khan from the Cabinet.
The BJP has decided to go ahead with the protest despite Chief Minister Siddaramaiah on Saturday directed officials that all notices issued to farmers be immediately revoked, and any unauthorized amendments in land records without due notice must also be nullified.
“I call on the people of Karnataka to reject this divisive, destructive agenda and stand with us in building a Karnataka that unites, progresses, and prospers for all,” he said.
The state has been witnessing a raging controversy after a section of farmers alleged that their lands were marked as Waqf properties. The BJP alleged that Waqf law is being misused in the state and called for an examination of all state records to ensure justice for farmers.
As the controversy snowballed into a major political storm, Siddaramaiah on Saturday instructed officials to immediately withdraw all notices sent to farmers concerning Waqf land issues.
The chief minister expressed his dissatisfaction with recent actions by certain officials and emphasised that no disturbances should be caused to the farmers.
The BJP, however, has decided to go on with their protest plan while demanding the sacking of Waqf Minister Zameer Ahmed Khan from the cabinet.
“I urge the people of Karnataka to see through the Karnataka BJP’s true intentions. Even after our government ordered the immediate withdrawal of notices issued to farmers over Waqf property issues, BJP leaders persisted in their protests. Their motives are purely political, with no genuine interest in protecting the welfare of our farmers,” Siddaramaiah said.
The chief minister further claimed that issuing notices for property clarification is a standard administrative procedure. The governments under former BJP Chief Ministers B S Yediyurappa, D V Sadanand Gowda, Jagadish Shetty, and JD(S) leader H D Kumaraswamy, too had issued similar notices regarding Waqf properties, he said.
