The historic town of Srirangapatna came to a standstill on January 20 as a bandh called by farmers’ welfare organisations and local pro-people groups garnered widespread support. The bandh, organised to protest the alleged mismanagement of land records and the transfer of heritage sites to the Karnataka Waqf Board, received backing from businesses, educational institutions, and transport unions, halting daily life.
Shuttered Town, United Protest
Shops, factories, and schools in Srirangapatna, Kiranaguru, and K. Shettahalli remained closed as traders, transport unions, and citizens expressed solidarity with the farmers. The only essential services functioning were milk distribution and Jan Aushadhi stores. Streets, usually bustling with activity, were eerily quiet, save for the chanting of slogans by determined protesters.
Local transport services, including auto rickshaws, taxis, and goods carriers, also withdrew operations, demonstrating collective resolve. The band’s impact was palpable, with major roads and marketplaces deserted throughout the day.
Massive Protest Marches and Highway Blockade
Farmers and citizens staged a powerful demonstration, marching through the streets and gathering at key points like Kuvempu Circle on the Bengaluru-Mysuru highway. Protesters blocked traffic, creating significant disruption, and raised slogans against the state Congress government and the Waqf Board. Effigies of Waqf and Minority Welfare Minister Zameer Ahmed were burned in symbolic opposition to the alleged land grab.
Speaking to the crowd, senior advocate Jayaswami alleged that the government had altered land records to transfer over 70 properties, including ancient monuments, heritage sites, and even government schools, to the Waqf Board.
“These properties, belonging to the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) and farmers, have been unjustly listed as Waqf properties in the RTC (Record of Rights, Tenancy, and Crops) land records,” he stated, drawing loud cheers of agreement from the crowd.
Impact on Heritage and Livelihoods
The issue has deepened discontent among local farmers and conservationists alike. Historical monuments like the Tipu Armoury and other ASI-protected structures have been recorded as Waqf properties, sparking fears of losing access to these culturally significant sites.
Farmers in surrounding villages, including Kiranaguru, K. Shettahalli, Babarayanakoppalu, and Darasakuppe, shared stories of hardship.
“We are struggling to safeguard our lands, our only source of livelihood. Without access to loans, our future is bleak,” lamented a farmer who joined the protest.
Government Assurances Amidst Rising Tensions
Amidst growing tensions, Srirangapatna Sub-Divisional Magistrate (SDM) M. Srinivas addressed the protesters, assuring them of government intervention. “If farmers provide valid documents, their lands will be secured. Ownership issues will be thoroughly investigated, and any discrepancies in records will be corrected promptly,” he said.
Reiterating the government’s commitment, the SDM emphasised that farmers’ rights would be protected, and lapses in administration would not be tolerated.
Police Presence Ensures Peaceful Protest
To maintain law and order, a heavy police presence was deployed across the town. Under the leadership of Superintendent of Police Mallikarjuna Baladandi, barricades were set up near sensitive areas, including the Jamia Mosque. Additional security personnel monitored the situation closely using video surveillance to prevent untoward incidents.
“The protest remained largely peaceful, with no major disruptions reported. We will continue to monitor the situation to ensure safety and order,” SP Baladandi said.
Call for Continued Agitation
As the bandh concluded, organisers vowed to intensify their agitation if the government failed to take immediate corrective measures. “If the state does not rectify the land records and protect our rights, we will stage larger protests across the district,” said Jayaswami, warning of further disruptions.
The Srirangapatna bandh served as a strong reminder of the power of collective action in addressing grievances. With the government promising swift action and investigations underway, all eyes are now on whether these assurances translate into meaningful outcomes.
For now, the farmers and residents of Srirangapatna remain united in their fight for justice, ready to take their struggle to the next level if necessary.
Waqf board claimed ownership of historical monuments.
It has come to light that more than 70 RTC (Record of Rights, Tenancy and Crops) documents in Srirangapatna and surrounding areas have been marked as properties of the Waqf Board. This issue has created considerable concern among the public and farmers, as many of their lands, aside from government properties, are mentioned in Column No. 11 of the RTCs as belonging to the Karnataka State Waqf Board.
Recently, it was revealed that the Chikkamma Chikkadevi Temple in Mahadevpura and a government school in Chandagalu have also been classified as Waqf Board properties. The growing number of RTCs designated as Waqf properties throughout the region has led to surprise and anxiety about what could happen next.
Notably, the RTCs identified in the town, such as Survey Numbers 17, 28, 63, 68, and 73, originally recorded as properties of the Directorate of Archaeology and Museums of the Karnataka Government, have now been classified as Waqf Board properties since the 2014-15 fiscal year. Additionally, the 20 acres of land under Survey Number 758, previously marked as government property, is now reported as belonging to the Waqf Board.
Furthermore, plots under Survey Numbers 343/1, 343/2, 343/3, 343/4, and 143/5—belonging to Raghu Chaitanya V. Naik bin Yashodhar G. Naik, totalling more than 4 acres—have also been recorded as Waqf properties.
Besides these, RTC records from various locations in the taluk, such as Survey Numbers 193/1, 193/2A, 193/2B, 194, 924, and 590 from Srirangapatna, along with Survey Numbers from other villages like Dodharohalli in Arakere and Kiranguru in K. Shettihalli, show over 70 RTC entries that indicate hundreds of acres of land have been declared Waqf Board properties.
A deeper investigation is warranted to understand the extent of Waqf Board encroachments. Many farmers are unaware of these changes regarding their properties, which exacerbates the situation. It has become imperative for citizens in the region to verify their RTCs, as they may face unavoidable struggles against the Waqf Board’s encroachments. Reports suggest that officials have amended following the government’s gazette notification in 2014-15.
In mutation (MR) records, the transformation has often occurred based on court orders or the directives of the sub-divisional officers, resulting in entries in RTCs indicating properties belonging to the Waqf Board. This development has sparked additional worries among the public and farmers in the region, with fears that more lands may soon be classified as Waqf Board properties.
53 Properties of ASI claimed by Waqf in the State
The Waqf Board is asserting ownership over at least 53 historical monuments throughout Karnataka, which includes notable sites such as the Gol Gumbaz, Ibrahim Rauza, and Bara Kaman in Vijayapura, as well as forts in Bidar and Kalaburagi.
Of these, 43 monuments in Vijayapura, the former capital of the Adil Shahi dynasty, were designated as Waqf properties by the Waqf Board in 2005. Many of these sites have been subjected to various forms of encroachment and inappropriate modifications.
As revealed by information obtained through a Right to Information (RTI) request, the Waqf Board has classified 43 centrally protected monuments in Vijayapura as its properties, exploiting the same Record of Rights/Property Registration (RoR/PR) certificates issued to the property owners. “While the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) manages the land and monuments, the Waqf authority is listed as an encumbrance. This classification has occurred without any consultation with ASI,” the Union government’s RTI response noted.
Records indicate that these protected monuments were recognised as Waqf properties in 2005, following a declaration by Mohammad Mohsin, then the Principal Secretary of the Health and Family Welfare Department (Medical Education), who also served as the deputy commissioner and Waqf Board chairman in Vijayapura.
“I cannot recall how many monuments were designated as Waqf. However, my actions were in line with the government’s gazette notification from the Revenue Department, supported by legitimate documents from concerned parties,” Mohsin stated.
The British government officially recognised Most of these monuments for their national significance on November 12, 1914.
According to the Ancient Monuments and Archaeological Sites Remains (AMASR) Act of 1958, ASI is the sole authority responsible for these properties’ maintenance, restoration, and conservation. Officials emphasise that once a monument is designated under ASI, it remains under ASI’s jurisdiction, as there are no provisions for declassification.
The Waqf Board also claims ownership of six monuments in the Hampi area, four in Bengaluru, and the Masjid-i-Ala in Srirangapatna. However, the Dharwad district, which encompasses the Vijayapura monuments, has not provided a complete list of additional sites claimed by the Waqf.
Sources from ASI report that nearly all 43 monuments in Vijayapura have been encroached upon, vandalised, or improperly restored by third parties. For instance, the areas surrounding Mulla Mosque and Yakub Dabuli’s Mosque and tomb have been transformed into madrasa facilities. These monuments, representing a blend of Indo-Islamic architecture, were slated for consideration as World Heritage Site candidates.
“Monuments embody significant aspects of our heritage. Renovations and restorations should exclusively take place in accordance with ASI guidelines. Unfortunately, the 43 monuments in Vijayapura are being disfigured and poorly repaired with modern materials like plaster and cement. Additionally, fans, air conditioning units, fluorescent lights, and toilets are being installed within these historical sites. Some areas have even been overtaken by local shopkeepers, negatively affecting tourism,” remarked an official who requested anonymity.
Since 2007, the Ministry of Culture in the Union government has repeatedly urged the Vijayapura deputy commissioner, the Minorities Welfare Department, and the Chief Secretary of Karnataka to address the encroachments, as the alterations and illegal constructions are misusing the protected monuments.
According to ASI officials, neither the deputy commissioner’s office in Vijayapura nor the Waqf Board has submitted any credible documentation to establish Waqf ownership of these monuments, even after a joint survey was conducted in 2012.
Senior ASI officials in Karnataka, who have been directed to refrain from commenting on the Waqf matter, assert that the ownership designation of centrally protected monuments under the AMASR Act cannot be changed, altered, or supplemented in any way.
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