The issue of Waqf properties has stirred up a significant controversy in Vijayapur district, following a visit by Minister for Housing, Waqf, and Minority Affairs, Jameer Ahmed Khan. The minister’s directive to expedite the land surveys and account changes for Waqf properties has triggered a wave of discontent, especially among local farmers who allege that ancestral lands are being wrongfully marked as Waqf properties.
Farmers Raise Serious Allegations Against Waqf Board
During a visit on October 7-8, Minister Jameer Ahmed Khan held a Waqf Adalat in Vijayapur, reviewing the progress of Waqf property management. He instructed officials to complete the surveys and finalize the records of unaccounted Waqf properties within 30 days. However, this has led to heated protests from farmers in Honwada village of Tikota taluk, who claim that nearly 1200 acres of their ancestral land are being unlawfully added to the Waqf Board’s property list.
The farmers of Honwada are furious, arguing that their lands are classified as belonging to Shah Aminuddin Dargah, even though no such dargah exists on their farms. The district administration’s action to mark these lands as Waqf properties has prompted local farmers to accuse the government of encroachment, sparking a debate about land rights and the fairness of the Waqf Act.
Farmers: “Our Land is Being Snatched Away”
Hundreds of farmers have come forward, expressing outrage over what they perceive as an attempt to wrongfully appropriate their land. They allege that the records have been manipulated to show their properties as part of the Waqf, despite clear proof that the land has been passed down through generations in their families. They claim that their forefathers neither donated nor sold this land to the Waqf Board, suggesting that the records are falsified for political or financial gain.
“Our ancestors have been farming this land for generations. The government is now suddenly labeling it as Waqf property, even though the dargah they are citing doesn’t exist anywhere near our village. This is illegal and unfair, and we will not stand for it,” said a farmer from Honwada.
Farmers Warn of Severe Protests
Farmers have warned of large-scale protests amid growing tension if their grievances are not addressed. Notices have already been issued in some areas of Vijayapur district, prompting fears that more farmers could face similar issues. The farmers of Honwada have stated that they are preparing for a struggle to protect their rights, vowing to continue their fight until justice is served.
“We have received no justice so far. The district administration is working quietly to take away our land. If this continues, we will have no choice but to protest. Our land is our livelihood, and we will not let anyone take it away from us,” said another aggrieved farmer.
Minister MB Patil Responds, Assures Farmers
In response to the growing discontent, Karnataka’s district in-charge minister, MB Patil, addressed the issue through social media. He assured farmers that no private land or properties unrelated to Waqf would be affected. “If any land is falsely marked as Waqf property, all necessary steps will be taken to correct it. I have already discussed this with the district administration, and a meeting will be held to address the concerns of the farmers,” he stated. Patil urged farmers not to panic and promised their rights would be safeguarded.
Despite the assurances, the situation remains tense, with many farmers still concerned about the potential loss of their land.
Political Backlash and BJP’s Criticism
The issue has also drawn sharp political reactions, with the BJP accusing the Congress-led Karnataka government of supporting the Waqf Board in a bid to encroach on farmers’ lands. The BJP claims that Congress is using appeasement politics to further its interests, alleging that the government is pressuring farmers by labelling their lands as Waqf properties.
ಇಷ್ಟು ದಿನ ಸರ್ಕಾರಿ ಜಮೀನು, ಆಸ್ತಿಗಳಿಗೆ ಕಣ್ಣು ಹಾಕುತ್ತಿದ್ದ ವಕ್ಫ್ ಬೋರ್ಡ್ ಇದೀಗ ರೈತರ ಜಮೀನನ್ನೂ ಕಬಳಿಸಲು ಹೊರಟಿದೆ.
ಒಂದು ಕಡೆ ಪ್ರಧಾನಿ ಶ್ರೀ @narendramodi ಅವರ ಎನ್ಡಿಎ ಸರ್ಕಾರ ವಕ್ಫ್ ಕಾಯಿದೆಗೆ ತಿದ್ದುಪಡಿ ಮಾಡಲು ಹೊರಟಿದ್ದರೆ, ತುಷ್ಟೀಕರಣ ರಾಜಕೀಯಕ್ಕಾಗಿ @INCIndia ಇದನ್ನು ವಿರೋಧಿಸುತ್ತಿದೆ.
ಮತ್ತೊಂದು ಕಡೆ… https://t.co/9VlBQSDJpJ
— BJP Karnataka (@BJP4Karnataka) October 21, 2024
“The Waqf Board has been targeting government lands for years, and now they are coming for the lands of our farmers. This is a direct attack on the breadwinners of our society. Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s government is taking steps to amend the Waqf Act, but the Congress is opposed to it. Instead, they are trying to help the Waqf Board take over farmers’ lands,” a BJP spokesperson said.
The BJP’s official social media accounts also aimed at Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah, accusing him of facilitating this issue for political gain. “Corrupt Siddaramaiah is trying to write Karnataka in the name of the Waqf Board for his vote bank, just like he wrote a MUDA site in his wife’s name. It won’t be long before the farmers rise up against this appeasement politics,” one tweet stated.
Calls for Transparency and Fairness
The escalating dispute has renewed calls for transparency in the management of Waqf properties and fairness towards the rights of landowners. Critics argue that the government must ensure that land surveys and record changes are carried out accurately and transparently, without infringing upon the rights of legitimate landowners.
With farmers preparing for a protest and political parties weighing in on the controversy, the issue will likely gain more prominence in the coming weeks. The government will need to act swiftly to address the concerns of farmers, ensuring that their rights are protected while maintaining a clear and transparent system for Waqf properties.
