BENGALURU: A fresh controversy is brewing in Karnataka as the government faces accusations of appeasement politics following its decision to allocate 2,750 acres of government and revenue land for burial to the Islamists. This move comes amidst ongoing disputes over Waqf property and has reignited debates over religious favouritism in land allocation.
Government’s Plan and Implementation
The government’s decision involves allocating land for 328 burial grounds across districts like Bengaluru, Raichur, Kalaburagi, Hassan, Dakshina Kannada, and Udupi. The land, placed under the jurisdiction of the Waqf Board, is to be converted into cemeteries as part of a broader initiative.
This directive follows recommendations from the State-Level Waqf Properties Task Force, which had called for identifying and designating government or privately acquired land for burial purposes. The orders, issued in April by then Deputy Chief Secretary Dr Shalini Rajneesh and Principal Secretary Rajendra Kumar Katariya, has paved the way for the implementation of the controversial plan.
Unresolved Temple Land Issues
The decision has drawn criticism for sidelining Hindu temple lands, many of which remain in limbo despite repeated demands for regularisation. Over 34,223 C-grade temples in Karnataka are situated on government land yet lack formal ownership rights. Since 2013, organizations like the Dharmika Parishad have petitioned the government to transfer temple-surrounding lands to temple authorities. Approximately 5,730 ancient temples remain on Revenue Department land without proper documentation or Pahani. Opposition argue that the government’s willingness to allocate land for burial grounds while ignoring temple land regularisation highlights a biased approach.
Opposition Reacts: Claims of Appeasement Politics
Opposition parties and pro-Hindu groups have accused the government of playing appeasement politics to secure minority votes. BJP leaders have alleged that the ruling party is showing preferential treatment to Waqf properties at the expense of Hindu temples and public interests.
“While burial grounds are prioritized, temples that serve millions of devotees are left in legal limbo. This is nothing short of appeasement politics,” a senior BJP leader stated.
Rising Tensions and Political Ramifications
The decision has added fuel to an already heated political landscape in Karnataka, with multiple controversies surrounding land ownership. Pro-Hindu organizations have announced plans for statewide protests, while opposition leaders are preparing to challenge the decision in the upcoming assembly session.
The government, however, defends its move as necessary to address the land shortages faced by certain communities. Yet, opposition leaders argue that the selective allocation risks creating deeper divisions between religious communities and eroding public trust in equitable governance.
As Karnataka grapples with this contentious issue, the state is poised for intensified political clashes and potential public unrest, making land allocation a polarising subject with far-reaching implications.
Bidar Land Controversy: 13,295 Acres Declared as Waqf Property
The Waqf property debate has reached a boiling point in Bidar, where a staggering 13,295 acres of land has been declared as Waqf property. The announcement has sparked outrage among local farmers, religious institutions, and residents, who claim their lands and community spaces have been unjustly appropriated.
Scope of the Waqf Allocation
The Waqf Board has classified thousands of acres across Bidar, Aurad, Humnabad, Basavakalyan, and Bhalki as Waqf property. This includes fertile farmland, monasteries, temples, schools, hospitals, and even historical landmarks. The detailed breakdown reveals:
Bidar taluk: 5,232 acres , Aurad: 331 acres , Humnabad: 2,798 acres ,- Basavakalyan: 3,292 acres and in Bhalki: 1,635 acres
According to the Waqf Board, these lands now fall under its purview, with 2,747 institutions and 3,822 properties recorded in official documentation.
Impact on Farmers and Villages
Farmers in villages like Chatnalli and Dharmapura are particularly affected, with lands they have cultivated for over five decades suddenly being classified as Waqf property. In Chatnalli alone, 960 acres belonging to 200 farmers were reassigned in 2013. Residents of Dharmapura village are grappling with the inclusion of government schools, Anganwadis, and a health center in the Waqf classification.
The controversy has also engulfed historical and cultural landmarks like the Sola Pillars of Bidar Fort, 14 Gumbajs of Ashtur, and other monuments, which were declared Waqf properties via a 1974 Gazette Notification. Locals are questioning how properties under the Archaeology Department were reassigned without public consultation.
Protests and Political Fallout
Angry residents have warned of large-scale protests if the government fails to address their grievances. BJP MLA Shailendra Beldale, representing the affected constituency, has vowed to lead a “Bengaluru Chalo” protest to demand justice. “We cannot let farmers, religious institutions, and public facilities be taken over without a fight,” Beldale said.
Call for Waqf Act Reforms
The controversy has reignited calls for revisiting and amending the Waqf Act, which opposition claim allows for arbitrary land acquisitions without transparency or adequate stakeholder input. Farmers and community leaders are demanding swift government intervention to protect their lands and institutions.
The Bidar controversy is the latest flashpoint in Karnataka’s escalating Waqf property disputes, with many fearing it could set a precedent for similar issues across the state.
Muslims up in arms against Waqf in Belagavi district
Farmers and members of the Muslim community in Anantapur village, Athani taluk, Belagavi district, have come together to protest against the Waqf Board for allegedly listing over 60 farmers’ lands as “Waqf property” in official records. The protesters have issued a stern warning to local legislators, demanding a resolution by November 25, failing which they plan to launch an indefinite protest.
Over 60 Properties Listed as Waqf Land
The farmers allege that their agricultural lands in Anantapur and Balligeri villages were suddenly marked as Waqf property in 2018. This has caused significant hardships, including the inability to access bank loans and the loss of government welfare scheme benefits.
“How can our private lands suddenly be categorized as Waqf property without our consent? This has left us economically and socially crippled,” a farmer said during the protest.
Warning to Legislators
The protesters have set a November 25 deadline for Kagwad MLA Laxman Savadi and Athani MLA Raju Kage to resolve the issue. “If no action is taken by the legislators, we will stage an indefinite protest,” the villagers declared during a meeting attended by over 60 affected farmers.
Unanswered Questions for the Government
While Chief Minister Siddaramaiah has reportedly stated that notices issued under the Waqf Board’s claim to these lands would be withdrawn, the protesters remain skeptical. “What about the damages we’ve already suffered? Who will ensure justice for us?” questioned the villagers.
Farmers claim that their inability to secure bank loans and welfare benefits has pushed them into financial distress. Repeated appeals to the Tahsildar’s office have failed to bring any resolution, further fueling frustration. If the issue remains unresolved, farmers from Anantapur and neighboring villages plan to hold a sit-in protest outside the Tahsildar’s office and legislators’ residences.
Impact on the Waqf Board and Muslim Community
Interestingly, even members of the Muslim community have voiced their disapproval of the Waqf Board’s actions. “Our holy sites should not become tools for political manipulation,” remarked a local community leader, signaling a divide within the community itself.
The issue has sparked significant political debate, with opposition parties accusing the government of neglecting its responsibility to safeguard farmers’ rights. As the November 25 deadline approaches, the situation is expected to escalate, drawing statewide attention to the conflict between the Waqf Board and local communities.
The protest in Anantapur village highlights growing discontent among farmers and sections of the Muslim community over the Waqf Board’s alleged overreach. With affected villagers demanding swift action and warning of protests, the government faces increasing pressure to address the issue before it spirals out of control.
