VIJAYAPURA: A growing controversy has gripped Vijayapura district as several farmers have accused local authorities of illegally adding their land to the Karnataka Waqf Board’s list of properties. The issue has gained significant attention, with reports suggesting that the (RTC) Pahani records, particularly column number 11 under the “debts” section, now list certain lands as belonging to the “Karnataka Waqf Board Bangalore Masajit (Sunni) Waqf.” Farmers claim this addition has caused severe distress, restricting their ability to secure loans and jeopardising their livelihoods.
One of the affected farmers, Yamanappa Kenganala from Tennihalli village in Indi taluk, expressed his shock when the name of the Waqf Board suddenly appeared on his land deed. According to Yamanappa, the Tehsildar’s office made this change without prior notice or any communication. “They have added the name of the Waqf Board to the Pahani records without even informing me. It has left me worried and confused,” said Yamanappa, who blames the Karnataka Congress government for what he sees as an unjust action.
It is not just Yamanappa who is facing this issue. Reports indicate that farmers across 13 taluks in Vijayapura district have received similar notifications from their respective Tehsildar offices, stating that their lands are now under the ownership of the Waqf Board. Sources from TV9 have revealed that officials are allegedly preparing to issue notices to hundreds more farmers.
A striking example of this issue is from Honwada village in Tikota taluk, where farmers were informed that 1,200 acres of their land are now claimed as property of the Shah Aminuddin Dargah. However, the farmers of the village argue that there is no such dargah present, further complicating the matter.
Faced with what they describe as an unfair appropriation of their property, farmers, led by agricultural leader Tukaram Nalavade, have decided to take action. Nalavade has announced plans to submit a petition to the deputy commissioners court demanding a review of the situation. He also warned that farmers are ready to fight to protect their land rights. “Hindu lands should not be misrepresented or wrongly categorized as Waqf property. We are prepared to take this issue to court if necessary,” said Nalavade.
According to data from the Vijayapura District Waqf Board, there are currently 14,201 acres of land in the district registered as Waqf property, of which 1,354 acres have been marked as encroached. The remaining land is under the control of Waqf Institutions, managed under the Waqf Act, Inam Obligations, and Land Reform laws.
Amidst the uproar, deputy commissioner T Bhubalan has tried to calm the situation, advising farmers not to panic over the notices. “The issuance of notices is a standard procedure to determine whether the land in question is inherited, donated, or purchased. It does not mean that the land will automatically be transferred to the Waqf Board,” Bhubalan clarified. He added that the administration will verify the documents provided by the farmers before taking further action, ensuring that no land will be unjustly transferred.
The issue has led to a heated political debate, with opposition leaders strongly criticising the state government. Housing, Waqf, and Minority Affairs Minister Zameer Ahmed Khan responded to the backlash, stating that the administration was not acting unilaterally and that proper procedures were being followed. However, his statement has done little to ease the tensions.
MP Tejaswi Surya, who met with a delegation of farmers affected by the issue, accused the Karnataka government of being biased and trying to appease a particular community. During a press conference, he lashed out at Chief Minister Siddaramaiah and Minister Zameer Ahmed Khan, questioning if they were attempting to convert Karnataka into “another Pakistan.”
“Is this an effort to take Hindu lands and transfer them to the Waqf Board under the guise of legal procedures? Why is the Waqf Board’s name being added to Pahani records without proper verification?” Surya questioned. “Tehsildars and District Collectors should run the government based on constitutional law, not religious laws. We will not allow this injustice to happen.”
The controversy has also drawn attention at the national level, with the central government proposing amendments to the Waqf Act to prevent similar disputes in the future. Tejaswi Surya explained that these actions highlight why the central government is seeking to change the Waqf law. “A few days ago, Minister Zameer Ahmed ordered district collectors to register properties that the Waqf Board claims as theirs within 15 days. This is part of a larger political agenda, but we will not allow it to happen,” said Surya.
According to Surya, the Waqf Board has been claiming approximately 15,000 acres of land in Vijayapura district alone. He warned that if the state government does not address the issue appropriately, he will take the matter to court. “I will fight for justice, and if needed, I will approach the High Court and Lokayukta to prevent these illegal actions. We live in India, not under the laws of another country.”
While responding to the accusations, Minister Zameer Ahmed maintained that there was no hidden agenda behind the notices being issued. He emphasised that any Waqf property is recognised through proper legal documentation and that if any land is being claimed wrongfully, it would be investigated. “The Waqf Board has the right to claim properties that are donated or designated for religious purposes. However, if the claims are found to be false, we will correct them,” he assured.
However, Surya argued that the problem lies within the legislation itself. He accused the Congress government of creating a law in 1995 that allowed the Waqf Board to claim land without sufficient checks, purely as a move to secure the Muslim vote bank. “Congress has cheated the people by using Waqf legislation to appease a particular community. The Modi government will amend this law to put an end to such practices,” said Surya.
He added that the central government is planning to introduce an amendment to the Waqf Act during the winter session of Parliament in December to address these issues once and for all. “We will make sure that no land is illegally claimed under the pretext of Waqf, and farmers’ rights are protected.”
The controversy has stirred emotions across Vijayapura, with farmers, political leaders, and local citizens waiting for clarity on the future of the lands caught in the dispute. As the legal battle looms, and with possible amendments to the Waqf Act on the horizon, this issue has become a significant political and social topic that could have lasting implications for the region.
The matter is expected to reach the Karnataka High Court soon, where further developments will likely unfold. For now, the farmers have pledged to continue their fight, demanding transparency and fairness from the government, with many anxiously awaiting a resolution that protects their land and livelihood.
