Waqf Property Row: JPC Gets Over 500 Petitions From Karnataka Farmers
Jagdambika Pal, expressed skepticism over the effectiveness of a state directive preventing farmer evictions, questioning whether it would truly resolve the issue.
In a mounting controversy over land ownership, over 500 petitions were submitted to Jagdambika Pal, Chairman of the Joint Committee of Parliament (JCP) on the Waqf (Amendment) Bill, by farmers from northern Karnataka districts. The farmers allege that their agricultural lands have been marked as Waqf properties by the State Waqf Board. Pal, accompanied by Bengaluru South BJP MP and JCP member Tejasvi Surya, visited Hubballi, Vijayapura, and Belagavi, meeting with affected farmers and organisations who have voiced concerns over their land rights.
According to a statement from Surya's office, petitions were received from farmers across Vijayapura, Bidar, Kalaburagi, Hubballi, Bagalkote, and Belagavi, claiming their lands had been reclassified by the Waqf Board. Pal’s visit, which he described as a "fact-finding mission," gathered complaints and documents from the farmers, which he assured would be addressed in the JPC’s upcoming discussions and report.
Pal expressed skepticism over the effectiveness of a state directive preventing farmer evictions, questioning whether it would truly resolve the issue.
"Maybe the state government has given directions to the revenue department officials not to evict the farmers, but will the issue be resolved? There has been tampering of records, mutations, Waqf has ensured changes in the documents. What is the state government doing on this and who is responsible for this?" he asked, as per PTI.
The visit has prompted a backlash from Karnataka’s political leaders. Chief Minister Siddaramaiah dismissed Pal’s visit as politically motivated. He also questioned the need for the JPC visit when the state government had already committed to protecting farmers.
State Deputy Chief Minister DK Shivakumar, also Karnataka Congress President, labeled the visit a "political drama," accusing the BJP members of exploiting the issue with an eye on upcoming by-polls in Karnataka and elections in Maharashtra. Karnataka Home Minister G Parameshwara further noted that Pal had acted independently. He said, "JPC Chairman has not discussed with the committee members. He has single-handedly visited the incident."
Amid escalating tensions, farmers from Vijayapura and neighboring areas, along with some religious organisations, continue to protest, asserting that their lands have been wrongly marked as Waqf properties.
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