Karnataka CM Siddaramaiah Assures Farmers Amid Waqf Land Controversy
In Karnataka, Chief Minister Siddaramaiah has promised that no farmers will be evicted from their lands amidst the ongoing Waqf land controversy. He stated that any notices issued to farmers in Vijayapura, Yadgir, and Dharwad districts, claiming their lands belong to the Waqf Board, will be withdrawn.
During a media interaction, Siddaramaiah addressed concerns about the land notices. He mentioned that Revenue Minister Krishna Byre Gowda, Vijayapura District In-charge Minister M.B. Patil, and Waqf Minister Zameer Ahmed had clarified the situation in a press conference.
However, the Karnataka BJP Spokesperson criticized the government’s stance, labeling it as anti-poor and accusing them of sacrificing farmers’ lands for political gains. The BJP alleged that the Waqf Board’s name was added to land records without proper notification.
In response, three Karnataka Ministers, including Gowda, Ahmed, and Patil, emphasized that the Waqf Board has no intention of acquiring farmers’ land. They accused the BJP of politicizing the issue for electoral benefits.
Minister Gowda highlighted that Vijayapura district has 14,201.32 acres designated as Waqf land. A task force led by the District Commissioner will investigate the matter, cross-referencing Waqf and revenue records from 1964 to 1973.
Waqf Minister Zameer Ahmed Khan reassured farmers, stating, “We do not want any land owned by farmers. Our goal is to update Waqf land records.” He clarified that only 11 acres in Honavada are Waqf property, contrary to claims of 1,200 acres.
Doubts Revealed
Karnataka -: Karnataka is a state in the southern part of India. It is known for its rich culture, history, and beautiful landscapes.
CM Siddaramaiah -: CM Siddaramaiah is the Chief Minister of Karnataka. A Chief Minister is like the head of a state government in India, similar to a principal in a school.
Waqf Land -: Waqf land refers to property that is donated for religious or charitable purposes in Islam. It is managed by a special board called the Waqf Board.
Vijayapura, Yadgir, Dharwad -: These are districts in Karnataka, which are like big areas or regions within the state. Each district has its own local government and administration.
Waqf Board -: The Waqf Board is an organization that manages properties donated for religious or charitable purposes in Islam. They ensure the properties are used for the intended purposes.
Revenue Minister -: The Revenue Minister is a government official responsible for managing the state’s finances and land records. They help make sure everything is recorded and managed properly.
BJP -: BJP stands for Bharatiya Janata Party, which is one of the major political parties in India. Political parties are groups of people who have similar ideas about how the government should be run.
Task Force -: A task force is a group of people who are brought together to work on a specific problem or issue. They investigate and find solutions to make things better.