LAGATAR24 DESK
Bengaluru: Former Karnataka Chief Minister and BJP MP Basavaraj Bommai has urged CM Siddaramaiah to initiate a Special Investigation Team (SIT) or Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) probe into alleged encroachments of Waqf properties, as highlighted in the Anwar Manippady report. Bommai took to social media, appealing for immediate action on the findings, which reportedly name several Congress leaders involved in land encroachments.
In response to controversy surrounding an old video released by Housing and Minorities Welfare Minister Zameer Ahmed Khan, Bommai clarified that his comments were solely directed at reclaiming Waqf properties encroached upon by Congress leaders and not at farmers’ lands. “We did not issue any notice to farmers or seize their land. My statement was based on the Anwar Manippady report,” he emphasized.
Siddaramaiah Retracts Notices to Farmers Amid Political Backlash
Chief Minister Siddaramaiah recently directed officials to retract all notices sent to farmers concerning Waqf land issues, assuring no disruptions to farmers. This move followed a high-level meeting with senior officials from the revenue and minority welfare departments and the Waqf Board.
However, BJP leaders, including Bommai, have termed the move as a “political tactic” designed to garner public favor, especially in the lead-up to local elections. BJP legislator CN Ashwath Narayan announced a statewide protest, calling for the complete repeal of the 1974 Waqf property gazette notification to safeguard farmers’ rights permanently.
“If the government truly cares about farmers, it should revoke the gazette notifications related to Waqf properties, not just issue temporary retractions,” Bommai argued.
Opposition Criticizes Congress Over Alleged Vote-Bank Politics
Chalavadi Narayanaswamy, Leader of the Opposition in the Karnataka Legislative Council, condemned the retraction of notices as “an eyewash” aimed at appeasing voters. “Simply withdrawing the notices won’t solve the problem. The government needs to remove Waqf property claims from the gazette itself,” Narayanaswamy asserted, adding that the notification has caused unrest among farmers, monasteries, and Hindu temples over potential Waqf claims.
In defense, Congress leader Priyank Kharge dismissed the BJP’s demands as politically motivated, noting the timing of the controversy coincides with assembly elections in states like Jharkhand and Maharashtra. “BJP is exploiting this issue for political gain. If they were genuinely concerned, they would have addressed it during their tenure,” Kharge argued.
