The Karnataka government disclosed that 81% of the 11,204 farmers who received notices from the Waqf Board over land encroachment are Muslim. Only 2,080 farmers from the Hindu community were affected, sparking political debates in the state.
Government’s Assurance to Farmers and Temples
Chief Minister Siddaramaiah announced the formation of a committee led by a retired high court judge to examine whether temples and lands cultivated by farmers fall under waqf assets. He assured the Karnataka Assembly that:
- Notices issued to temples on waqf properties would be withdrawn.
- Farmers cultivating waqf-designated lands would not face arbitrary action.
Clarifications on Waqf Land Data
Revenue Minister Krishna Byre Gowda provided key insights into the waqf land distribution:
- Of Karnataka’s 20,000 acres of waqf land, only 4,500 acres are cultivable.
- Cultivable waqf land constitutes just 0.006% of the state’s total agricultural land.
- The waqf land inventory has significantly reduced from 1.12 lakh acres in 1974 to 20,054 acres today due to redistribution under the Land Revenue Act and Inam Abolition Act.
Political Clash in the Assembly
The BJP staged a walkout during the Assembly session, demanding answers from Housing, Waqf, and Minority Affairs Minister Zameer Ahmed Khan. They also called for the withdrawal of the 1974 gazette notification that formalized waqf land data.
CM Siddaramaiah refuted the BJP’s demands, clarifying that the notification was based on the Central Waqf Act, which cannot be altered by the state government. Revenue Minister Gowda accused the BJP of spreading misinformation about Muslims encroaching on Hindu land to polarize public opinion.
A Heated Debate Continues
The waqf land issue has intensified political tensions in Karnataka, with both ruling and opposition parties trading accusations. While the government assures corrective measures, the opposition demands more transparency and accountability in addressing the waqf land controversy.
Stay tuned for further updates on this evolving issue.
