Union Minister Pralhad Joshi Accuses Congress of ‘Land Jihad’
Controversy Over Waqf Land in Karnataka
In Karnataka, a controversy has erupted over alleged land grabs involving the Waqf Board. Union Minister Pralhad Joshi accused the Congress government of harassing people, calling it ‘Land Jihad’. He questioned the actions of Chief Minister Siddaramaiah, who assured that no farmers would be evicted and any issued notices would be withdrawn.
Political Tensions Rise
The BJP claims that the Waqf Board’s name was added to land records without proper notification, affecting 44 properties in Vijayapura district. Farmers are worried about losing their ancestral lands due to these changes.
Government’s Response
Chief Minister Siddaramaiah, along with other ministers, clarified that the Waqf Board does not intend to take farmers’ land. A task force has been set up to verify land records from 1964 to 1973. Waqf Minister Zameer Ahmed Khan stated that only 11 acres in Honavada are Waqf property, not the claimed 1,200 acres.
Ministers’ Assurance
Revenue Minister Krishna Byre Gowda, Waqf Minister Zameer Ahmed Khan, and Vijayapura District In-charge Minister MB Patil accused the BJP of politicizing the issue. They assured legitimate landowners that they need not fear losing their land.
Doubts Revealed
Union Minister -: A Union Minister is a member of the central government in India who is in charge of a specific department or ministry, like education or health.
Pralhad Joshi -: Pralhad Joshi is an Indian politician who is a member of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and serves as a Union Minister in the Indian government.
Congress -: Congress is a major political party in India, officially known as the Indian National Congress. It has been one of the two main political parties in India, along with the BJP.
Land Jihad -: Land Jihad is a controversial term used by some to suggest that land is being taken over by a particular community as part of a larger plan. It is not an official term and is often used in political debates.
Waqf -: Waqf is a religious endowment in Islam, where property is donated for religious or charitable purposes, and the income generated is used for community welfare.
Karnataka -: Karnataka is a state in the southern part of India, known for its rich culture, history, and technology hubs like Bengaluru.
Chief Minister Siddaramaiah -: Siddaramaiah is an Indian politician from the Congress party who is currently serving as the Chief Minister of Karnataka.
BJP -: BJP stands for Bharatiya Janata Party, which is one of the two major political parties in India, known for its nationalist policies.
Waqf Board -: The Waqf Board is a government body that manages and oversees Waqf properties, ensuring they are used for the intended religious or charitable purposes.
Task force -: A task force is a group of people with special skills brought together to work on a specific problem or project, often for a limited time.