Karnataka Minister Zameer Ahmed Khan Responds to BJP’s Allegations on Waqf Board Land Issues
In Bengaluru, Karnataka Minister BZ Zameer Ahmed Khan criticized BJP MP Tejasvi Surya for accusing the Congress of misusing the Waqf Board’s powers. The controversy began when farmers in Vijayapura district received eviction notices from the Karnataka Board of Waqfs regarding their ancestral lands.
Khan responded to Surya’s claims by stating, “The local MLAs did not attend the DC meeting, and now, after three days, they are making allegations. Waqf has 1,12,000 acres of land in Karnataka, but only 23,000 acres are under its control. This means there has been encroachment. We are addressing the issue legally… They (BJP) just need an excuse. No one can take anyone’s land. We consider farmers as God, so we cannot do injustice to them.”
BJP MP Tejasvi Surya alleged that the Waqf Board’s powers have led to over 15,000 acres of agricultural land being claimed as Waqf land in Vijayapura district. He accused the Congress government of prioritizing minority appeasement over governance and failing to protect farmers’ rights.
Surya warned that any government officer acting outside the law by taking farmers’ land would face legal action. The Waqf Board, established under the Waqf Act of 1995, manages properties for charitable purposes according to Islamic law, but land disputes often arise, causing tensions.
Doubts Revealed
Karnataka Minister -: A Karnataka Minister is a person who is part of the government in the Indian state of Karnataka. They help make decisions and manage different areas like education, health, or land.
Zameer Ahmed Khan -: Zameer Ahmed Khan is a politician in Karnataka, India. He is a member of the Congress party and serves as a minister in the state government.
BJP -: BJP stands for Bharatiya Janata Party, which is one of the major political parties in India. It is known for its nationalistic policies and is often in opposition to the Congress party.
Waqf Board -: The Waqf Board is an organization that manages properties and lands donated for religious or charitable purposes in Islam. These lands are meant to be used for the benefit of the community.
Tejasvi Surya -: Tejasvi Surya is a Member of Parliament (MP) from the BJP party in India. He represents the Bangalore South constituency in Karnataka.
Congress -: Congress, or the Indian National Congress, is one of the oldest political parties in India. It has been a major political force in the country and often competes with the BJP.
Vijayapura -: Vijayapura is a city in the Indian state of Karnataka. It is known for its historical monuments and is also a district where many people live and farm.
Encroachment -: Encroachment means illegally taking over someone else’s land or property. In this context, it refers to people using Waqf land without permission.
Minority appeasement -: Minority appeasement refers to the act of giving special treatment or benefits to minority groups, sometimes seen as unfair by others. In politics, it can be a controversial topic.