Tension prevailed in the Hipparga NS village of Jewargi taluk after members of the Hindu community staged protests against Mohammed Haneef, alleging an attempt to remove the nameboard of Shri Nijasharana Ambigara Choudayya and to encroach upon nearly 4 acres of Hindu-owned land. The protest erupted following a series of official notices and police-linked communications related to the disputed land.
Allegations of encroachment by Mohd Haneef
According to protesters, Mohammed Haneef is allegedly at the center of the dispute and is accused of attempting to alter the status of the land by questioning the legitimacy of the religious nameboard. Villagers allege that these efforts are being carried out with the support of local police, raising serious concerns about the misuse of authority.
Several documents circulating in the village include notices issued by local authorities and communications with the police, calling for inquiries and clarification regarding the nameboard and land use. Hindu residents claim these letters are being selectively used to build administrative pressure for the removal of the nameboard, which they say has existed for years and reflects the land’s religious and community significance.
Hindu community claims land ownership
Protesters assert that the land belongs to the Hindu community and has long been associated with Shri Nijasharana Ambigara Choudayya, a revered Hindu deity. They argue that removing the signboard would weaken the land’s religious identity and pave the way for illegal Islamic encroachment of nearly 4 acres.
In response to the developments, villagers held protests, raised slogans, and demanded that the administration maintain the status quo until a fair and transparent inquiry is completed. They warned that any unilateral action to remove religious markers or alter land records could disturb communal harmony in the region.
The protesting villagers have appealed to Basanagouda Patil Yatnal and the state government to intervene immediately. They have sought protection of Hindu religious properties and demanded an inquiry into the alleged role of police officials in the matter.
No official response so far
As of now, no official clarification has been issued by the district administration or police regarding the allegations. Authorities are said to be monitoring the situation, which remains tense but under control.
This is not the first time such a dispute has surfaced in the village. Two years ago, when 3.2 acres of land were officially allotted for a Muslim graveyard, local residents alleged that nearly 7 acres were occupied without a proper survey or demarcation. According to a social media post by Mohan Gowda, spokesperson of the Hindu Janajagruthi Samithi, the issue was raised then but did not receive attention from mainstream media.
He alleged that incidents involving disputed land claims in Hindu-majority villages often fail to gain media coverage, resulting in local Hindus raising concerns without wider public visibility. Community members claim that due to the lack of reporting and administrative follow-up, such disputes recur, leaving affected residents with limited avenues for redress.
The villagers have now urged the state government to intervene decisively, conduct proper land surveys, and take strict action against any unlawful land occupation, irrespective of the parties involved, to prevent further escalation and ensure justice.
In the past, similar land jihads have been highlighted by Hindu and legal organizations such as the Legal Rights Protection Forum (LRPF), including a case reported from Bidarahalli in Bengaluru, where alleged unlawful land claims were raised as a serious concern. Despite such interventions, many of these issues, community members allege, fail to receive sustained attention from mainstream media, resulting in affected Hindus struggling to make their voices heard.
