BJP stages state-wide protest against Cong govt in Karnataka over Waqf properties row

NT Correspondent

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 Congress government of indulging in "land jihad". Chief Minister Siddaramaiah, who on Saturday directed officials that all notices issued to farmers be immediately revoked, and any unauthorised amendments in land records without due notice must also be nullified. dismissed the BJP's action as nothing but politics. The opposition party also demanded the sacking of Waqf Minister Zameer Ahmed Khan from the Cabinet. There were allegations by a section of farmers from Vijayapura district that their lands were marked as Waqf properties, and similar charges have surfaced from few other places subsequently.

Bijapur (Vijayapura) City BJP MLA Basanagouda Patil Yatnal, along with Union Minister Shobha Karandlaje, on Monday launched a day-and-night dharna demanding the revocation of the Waqf gazette notification, near the Vijayapura Deputy Commissioner office. "We will not give up until the issue is completely settled. Shobha Karandlaje and I have begun our indefinite protest.....If we are all strong, lands of our farmers and Mutts will remain with us. This protest will not end here, we will take this up across Karnataka," he said. Seeking to clarify "confusion" over 1,200 acres in Honavada of Tikota taluk being marked as Waqf property, Vijayapura district in-charge Minister M B Patil had recently said it was due to an “error” in the gazette notification.

While BJP President B Y Vijayendra led the protest in Ballari, Leader of Opposition in Assembly R Ashoka took part in it at K R Puram here. Various party leaders joined the protests. Speaking to reporters in Hubballi, the Chief Minister alleged that for the sake of politics, the BJP is "taking this issue forward and fighting," but people have understood that the Waqf property issue is not something that is new, and notices were served during all previous governments including the BJP.