HAVERI: The ongoing Waqf property dispute, which has stirred outrage across Karnataka, has now erupted into violence in Haveri. Enraged by fears of losing their lands, villagers in Kadakola, Savanur taluk, attacked the homes of Muslim leaders on Wednesday night. Amid mounting apprehensions over the property being designated as Waqf land, stones were hurled, injuring six individuals. Following the incident, police detained 32 people and imposed heavy security measures in the village.
The roots of the incident trace back to instructions purportedly issued by the deputy commissioner’s office, directing local officials to list certain properties as Waqf in land records, sparking farmers’ outrage against the state government. Concerned that the Waqf Board would soon take formal possession of their lands, hundreds of farmers mobilized in protest. Matters turned violent Wednesday night as villagers reportedly stoned the residence of local Muslim leaders damaging property including a parked motorcycle. The tense atmosphere has left the village on edge.
Deputy commissioner Dr Vijaya Mahantesh Danammanavar and Superintendent of Police Anshu Kumar immediately visited the area to assess the situation. SP Kumar confirmed that the violent unrest had damaged homes, with window glass shattered in the skirmish. Police have since arrested 32 individuals, including three minors, and deployed four KSRP squads with an additional 200 personnel to secure the village, conducting route marches to discourage further disturbances.
The unrest has had a lasting impact on Kadakola. As the village would typically be celebrating Diwali, residents have instead left their homes, fearing police reprisal. The previously lively streets now sit empty, an eerie silence taking over in what locals are calling an “ash-covered pit.”
The controversy stems from a recent directive, allegedly issued by district Waqf officials, to reclassify the ownership of 1,649 properties in Haveri district as Waqf land. This order was reportedly passed on to local tahsildars for execution. While the district collector clarified that no specific notices were issued, locals remain deeply concerned, believing the transfer process has already begun.
“We have not issued any notices concerning Waqf property. The instructions were based on an older property list, and we acted according to protocol. We are aware of the concerns and have enforced a strict security presence as a precaution,” stated Dr. Vijaya Mahantesh Danammanavar, Haveri’s DC.
Concerns over Waqf property ownership are spreading across Karnataka, reaching southern regions like Mandya, where villagers in Bellur, Nagamangala taluk, reported Thursday that a group of muslims made request to transfer certain lands to Waqf ownership. The issue has escalated further as reports have surfaced that the property records of the Sri Chikkamma Chikkadevi Temple in Mahadevpur, Srirangapatna taluk, also list it as Waqf property. This discovery has left villagers shocked and alarmed.
The villagers, already apprehensive given the statewide discourse on the Waqf property issue, were taken aback to find the temple’s land recorded as Waqf property. This revelation has led to growing frustration directed at both the district administration and the state government, as the community struggles to understand how a revered temple’s property could be reclassified.
Historically, Sri Chikkamma Chikkadevi Temple and its surrounding lands have been a communal and cultural center for the local villagers, who have upheld the temple’s traditions for generations. The temple itself, built decades ago with the support of villagers, has always been registered in the name of Chikkadevi. However, the recent changes in the Record of Rights, Tenancy and Crops (RTC) document indicate that the temple, listed under Survey No. 74, and its associated six acres of land, are now considered Waqf property—a classification that seemingly appeared without local knowledge or consultation.
Villagers are especially troubled by this designation, as it implies ownership by the Waqf Board, leaving them anxious over the potential loss of access and rights to their temple land. Allegedly, this change was initiated following instructions from the sub-divisional officer, sparking fears of further reclassification of temple and agricultural lands. Villagers noted that their community does not have a significant Muslim population, and they never submitted any requests to designate temple property as Waqf, leading them to question how this adjustment was made in the first place.
Outraged, the villagers have demanded immediate action, calling for the temple and its land to be restored under its original designation. They are urging authorities to correct the records, classify the property accurately as temple land, and hold responsible officials accountable for the reclassification. The villagers have also warned that if these demands are not met, they will initiate protests against the district administration, aiming to safeguard their land and preserve their community’s heritage.
This incident is part of a growing state-wide wave of allegations and protests concerning Waqf property reclassification, particularly impacting agricultural and religious lands across Karnataka. As the situation intensifies, many communities are becoming increasingly wary, questioning the government’s transparency and role in overseeing these property records.
As protests spread across districts, the BJP has thrown its support behind the farmers, staging demonstrations and speaking out against Waqf Board Minister Zameer Ahmed Khan. Accusations of Waqf land grabs have also stirred significant political controversy, with the BJP pressing for the Waqf Adalat’s suspension. Minister Zameer Ahmed Khan, in his defense, attributed the Waqf Adalat’s directives to Chief Minister Siddaramaiah, saying, “I informed CM Siddaramaiah about the Waqf encroachments, and he instructed that Adalats be held in areas with potential encroachments. I acted on his orders.”
The BJP has amplified the minister’s remarks, sharing the footage on social media to rally public support and challenge the Congress government. With land ownership now hanging in uncertainty, and communities in distress, the state government faces growing scrutiny over its handling of the Waqf property issue, a crisis that threatens to spill over into even greater unrest.
