BENGALURU: In an effort to quell mounting tension over Waqf land ownership, Karnataka chief minister Siddaramaiah assured farmers Tuesday that no one would be evicted from their property. The assurance comes amid allegations from farmers in Vijayapura and other districts that their lands were marked as Waqf properties.
“No farmer will be evicted from his land. On Monday, revenue minister Krishna Byre Gowda, industries and Vijayapura district in-charge minister M B Patil, and Waqf minister Zameer Khan said that no farmer will be evicted from their land. Any notice issued will be withdrawn,” Siddaramaiah added.
On reports of similar notices being issued to farmers in Chitradurga, Yadgir and Dharwad, the CM said he would instruct the revenue minister to investigate further. “Farmers will not be evicted anywhere,” the CM reiterated.
Sharing copies on X, Patil said notices were served to farmers in Vijayapura by Waqf Board during the previous BJP govt between 2019 and 2022. “They are promoting a ‘fake pro-Hindutva’ stance through misinformation. They misled people with issues like hijab, halal, and Urigowda-Nanjegowda while in office, and are continuing with the same tactics. Their attempts to deceive the public with fabricated narratives will not work anymore,” he asserted.
On notices issued to farmers on over 1,200 acres in Honavada of Tikota taluk marked as Waqf property, Patil had clarified on Monday that it was due to an “error” in the gazette notification. He confirmed that only 11 acres are actually Waqf property. To resolve the issue, he announced the formation of a task force led by the deputy commissioner.
Earlier, BJP state president Vijayendra criticised the Congress govt, warning of severe consequences if the Waqf board proceeds with acquisition of farmers’ land. “We stand with farmers. What will farmers do if ancestral property, passed down through generations, is declared Waqf property overnight? Our fact-finding committee, led by Chitradurga MP Govind Karjol, has reached Vijayapura, and once they submit the report we’ll decide on the future course of action,” Vijayendra added.
Union minister Pralhad Joshi criticised state govt and called for suspension of tahsildars who had issued notices to farmers and demanded accountability.