‘Trying to harass people’: Pralhad Joshi accuses Karnataka govt amidst waqf land grab row

HUBBALLI: Amid the alleged waqf land grab controversy in Karnataka, Union Minister Pralhad Joshi accused the Congress government in the state of trying to ‘harass people’, terming the allegation as ‘Land Jihad’.

Union Minister Pralhad Joshi said, “Why was the notice given? In some of the property records, the name of Waqf has been entered, what are you going to do Siddaramaiah? Why are you bluffing th people?…they are trying to harass people. This is ‘land jihad’…”

#WATCH | Hubballi: Union Minister Pralhad Joshi says, ” Why was the notice given? In some of the property records, the name of Waqf has been entered, what are you going to do Siddaramaiah? Why are you bluffing?…they are trying to harass people. This is ‘land jihad’…” https://t.co/CYby4yPMoR pic.twitter.com/IIEYCe6DfZ

— ANI (@ANI) October 29, 2024

This came after Chief Minister Siddaramaiah assured that no farmer would be evicted from their land. “No farmers will be evicted from their lands and if notices are issued to them, they will be withdrawn”, he said.

He made these remarks while responding to questions from the media regarding notices sent to farmers in Vijayapura, Yadgir, and Dharwad districts, claiming that their lands belong to the Waqf Board.

The CM also mentioned that Revenue Minister Krishna Byre Gowda, Vijayapura District In-charge Minister M.B. Patil, and Wakf Minister Zameer Ahmed had jointly addressed a press conference yesterday to clarify the matter.

Political tensions between the BJP and Congress in Karnataka are soaring amidst allegations that the Waqf Board’s name was added to property records without notification.

The BJP alleged that Waqf’s name was added to land records for 44 properties across Indi and Chadachan taluks in Vijayapura district without due notice, following a meeting between Khan and district officials. Many farmers, unaware of the sudden Record of Rights, Tenancy, and Crops (RTC) mutations, expressed concern over losing ancestral land.

Meanwhile, Minister MB Patil added that a task force led by the District Commissioner has been formed to investigate the matter, with instructions to cross-reference Waqf and revenue records from 1964 to 1973 for accuracy.

“We do not want any land owned by farmers. I am also the son of a farmer. Our goal is simply to update Waqf land records. Only 11 acres in Honavada are Waqf property, contrary to claims of 1,200 acres. Beyond these 11 acres, the rest belongs to the farmers”, said Waqf Minister Zameer Ahmed Khan.

On Monday, three ministers had asserted that the Waqf Board had no intention of acquiring farmer’s land. Revenue Minister Krishna Byre Gowda, Waqf Minister BZ Zameer Ahmed Khan, and Vijayapura District In-charge Minister MB Patil accused the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) of politicizing the issue for electoral gains.

In a joint presser, the three ministers emphasised that legitimate landowners need not fear losing their land. Minister Gowda informed that Vijayapura district had 14,201.32 acres designated as waqf land. (ANI)