The Karnataka government has instructed all regional and district commissioners to retract eviction notices and land mutation orders issued to farmers concerning Waqf land claims. Based on the reports from Jagran, in a directive dated November 9, the Revenue Department’s Principal Secretary emphasized that officials should face disciplinary action if they alter land records or continue with such notices under the Waqf Act. This directive follows a recent meeting led by Chief Minister Siddaramaiah, who addressed concerns over land property claims by the Karnataka Board of Waqfs.
In Vijayapura district, widespread Waqf Board claims have impacted more than 15,000 acres, covering ancestral farmland, temples, and government properties. These claims have alarmed local farmers and landowners, whose generational rights are being challenged without formal notice or due process. Particularly affected areas include Honavada village in Tikota Taluk, where over 1,500 acres across numerous survey numbers have been identified as Waqf property.
Additional reports from Babaleshwar Taluk indicate that notices have been issued to classify lands as Waqf property, sparking local discontent. These claims also extend to historic temples and religious sites, such as the Someshwara Temple from the Chalukyan era and the 12th-century Virakta Mutt.
The Karnataka government has halted the issuance of Waqf land notices to farmers, offering temporary relief amidst growing public concern. This step aligns with statements made by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, as noted by Hindu spokesperson Chakravarthy Sulibele on social media platform X.
This situation has led to significant anxiety and protests from affected farmers, as their livelihoods and ancestral lands face threats from these unilateral claims. The Chief Minister’s Office has reiterated that the government’s priority is to prevent unnecessary hardship for farmers by ensuring no further land disturbances related to Waqf property claims.
Many people remain sceptical about Chief Minister Siddaramaiah’s recent actions regarding the Waqf land issue, given his perceived past support for certain Islamist causes. Despite the government’s move to retract land notices affecting farmers, concerns persist about whether this decision is a temporary measure or part of a longer-term policy. Farmers and residents are apprehensive about the future and uncertain if similar situations might arise again, leaving some questioning the government’s ultimate stance on Waqf land claims in Karnataka.
The Hindu Post has reported that the Karnataka Waqf Board has made extensive claims on public properties, historical monuments under the Archaeological Survey of India, and agricultural lands, sparking public and political outrage, particularly aimed at Minister B.Z. Zameer Ahmed Khan. Although a temporary halt on notices has been issued, concerns persist among the Hindu community regarding the safety of their land rights and the potential for future claims by the Waqf Board.
