Waqf Notice: JPC to visit Karnataka on Nov 6 and 7?

Team Udayavani, Nov 4, 2024, 8:46 AM IST

Bengaluru: Amid concerns over Waqf property notices issued across Karnataka, the matter has now reached the Central Government. A Joint Parliamentary Committee (JPC) formed to amend the Waqf Act, led by Jagadambika Pal, may visit Karnataka on November 6 and 7.

MP Tejasvi Surya, a member of the committee, had earlier written to Jagadambika Pal, urging the committee to hear the grievances of farmers in the state. Following his request, the committee is expected to visit Vijayapura and Bengaluru on Wednesday and Thursday.

Temple from Basavanna’s Era Served Notice!

Tejasvi Surya disclosed that over 400 farmers in Vijayapura have received Waqf notices, with similar notices spreading to several districts. He questioned the legitimacy of issuing Waqf notices to temples from Basavanna’s era, suggesting that some of these places existed even before Islam was founded.

The issue of amending the Waqf Act is under discussion in Parliament, and the JPC is yet to submit its report.

Meanwhile, Karnataka Minister Zameer Ahmed, under the directive of CM Siddaramaiah, has been conducting Waqf courts and issuing notices. Surya questioned under what law these Waqf courts are being held, asking if they are recognized under Revenue or Waqf laws, and demanded answers from the state government.

Farmland and Farmers’ Rights: Letter to the Prime Minister

Leader of the Opposition in the Karnataka Legislative Assembly, R. Ashoka, criticized the Waqf Board, describing it as a source of widespread corruption. He cited a report by Anwar Manipaddy, which allegedly revealed instances of Waqf property misuse and accused authorities of now targeting poor farmers’ lands.

Ashoka called on Jagadambika Pal, the JPC Chair, to hear farmers’ grievances and ensure justice. Expressing concerns about the potential impact on farmers, Mathas, and temples, Ashoka mentioned that Congress leaders in Delhi had previously campaigned for their rights. He said this issue involves “Namma Bhoomi, Namma Hakku” (“Our Land, Our Right”) and would appeal to Prime Minister Narendra Modi as part of a broader movement for farmers’ land rights.