BIDAR: The Karnataka Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) staged protests on Wednesday against the Congress-led state government over notices issued to farmers by the Waqf Board.
The protests were held in various locations, including Kalaburagi, Bidar, and Ramnagar.
Speaking to ANI, BJP MLA CN Ashwath Narayan stated that their fight would continue until justice was delivered to the farmers.
“We want to send a clear message to the Congress government that they need to protect the interests of innocent farmers and ensure that the 1974 Waqf Gazette is withdrawn. All land records must be updated in the farmers’ names. This fight will continue until justice is provided to the farmers,” he said.
Earlier today, Karnataka BJP President BY Vijayendra expressed concern over the notices issued to farmers by the Waqf Board, alleging that the Congress government was behind the move.
#WATCH | Bidar, Karnataka | On BJP’s protest against Waqf Board, BJP MLA CN Ashwath Narayan says, “We want to send a clear message to the Congress Government that they need to protect the interest of innocent farmers and ensure that the 1974 Waqf Gazette is withdrawn and all the… pic.twitter.com/gGPbnzYhyn
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Vijayendra said, “The Waqf issue has become a very serious matter in Karnataka. Thousands of farmers are receiving notices from the Waqf Board, instigated by the Congress government. Farmers are upset and have taken to the streets. As a responsible party, the BJP has taken this matter seriously. Prime Minister Narendra Modi has also addressed this issue. An amendment bill is currently in progress. However, the state government, led by Chief Minister Siddaramaiah, is rushing to issue notices to farmers and seize land for the Waqf Board. The BJP strongly opposes this move.”
Amid the ongoing controversy over the Waqf Board land issue, BJP leaders staged a protest on November 23, demanding the removal of the term “Waqf Board” from government records and raising concerns about alleged encroachments by the Waqf Board.
In response to the uproar, the Karnataka Government’s Principal Secretary of the Revenue Department issued a directive to all Regional and District Commissioners regarding the Waqf matter.
The letter warned of disciplinary action against officials who altered land mutation records or issued eviction notices to farmers under the Waqf Act.
The directive, issued on November 9, instructed officials to withdraw all notices served to farmers, revoke any land mutation orders, and halt ongoing mutation work. (ANI)