On 7th of February, it was reported that the Karnataka government approved the allocation Rs 31.54 crore for the construction of walls around Waqf properties, drawing criticism from Hindu organisations such as the Hindu Janajagruti Samiti. The decision, aimed at safeguarding Waqf assets, was announced recently, sparking controversy regarding its biased allocation and utilisation for minority Islamic communities.
The funds are intended for the preservation and maintenance of Waqf properties, including mosques, graveyards, and other religious structures, across the state. The move has raised concerns among Hindu organisations, which question the government’s financial priorities and the allocation’s focus on minority Islamic community development.
According to a recent press release from the Hindu Jagruti Samithi, “The Karnataka government has been making efforts to allocate budget funds in the name of minority development. Former Chief Minister Siddaramaiah had announced the allocation of 10,000 crore rupees for minorities. In December last year, they allocated 1000 crore rupees for the construction of minority colonies. In the budget, 60 crore rupees were allocated for minority education. However, they spent 11,000 crore rupees for their own interests and to fulfill election promises. They allocated 3 lakh rupees for the purchase of four-wheeler vehicles for Islamic minorities. Now, allocating 31.54 crore rupees for the protection of Islamic religious assets is highly condemnable.”
Further continuing, in 2009, “the illegally acquired private and government properties, which had 4 lakh acres, were encroached upon by the Waqf Board. Today, they have illegally encroached upon 9 lakh, 52 thousand acres of land across the country. As various court cases are ongoing regarding the illegal encroachment by the Waqf Board, if they release funds to manage compounds, it will legitimise tomorrow’s illegality. This should not be allowed. The funds allocated by the state government for the protection of these private and government properties, which are being illegally encroached upon by the Waqf Board, must be immediately canceled. The Karnataka Religious Endowment Department has neglected to review the Hindu temple lands and Hindu religious places, which are worth thousands of crores. To protect them, the government should stop releasing funds and take action against illegal encroachment, and the government has to stop funding to protect those Waqf properties;” Shri Mohan Gouda said in the press release.
The Karnataka Congress government has been showing favouritism towards Islamist minorities on multiple occasions, they have already faced criticism in 2021 from the BJP and Hindu communities. Recent news reports indicate that Siddaramaiah is biased against Hindus and Hinduism while demonstrating a more favorable attitude towards Islamic religion and opposing Hindu rituals.
Karnataka BJP MLA Basanagouda R. Patil has recently shared a copy of the government-issued circular and called for its urgent reassessment. In a Kannada post on the X platform, he expressed concern, stating, “Rather than assisting the drought-stricken farmers, the state government seems focused on constructing a compound to safeguard Waqf properties. This raises questions about the government’s priorities. Why the haste in protecting Waqf property amidst the state’s challenges? This appears to be nothing but a form of appeasement politics.”
The Karnataka government, led by the Congress, has allocated funds for community-specific projects on multiple occasions. For instance, in July 2023, shortly after assuming power in the state, the Congress government earmarked Rs 100 crore for the establishment of the Karnataka State Christian Development Corporation. Now, the release order of 31.54 crore rupees for the protection of Waqf properties is highly condemnable. The Hindu Janajagruti Samiti criticises the state Congress government’s biased decision towards Islamic minorities. The Hindu organisation’s demand to allocate funds for the protection of temple assets.
