‘BJP does politics’: Karnataka Minister Priyank Kharge in Waqf Board row | India News – Times of India

BENGALURU: Karnataka minister Priyank Kharge on Sunday hit back at the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) over the Waqf Board row and accused the party of indulging in “politics on the issue”.
Speaking to ANI, the Karnataka minister questioned the BJP about its actions in the Waqf board during their regime.
“Not our government, but even during the BJP government, Waqf notices issued have all been stopped and asked to be withdrawn… CM has assured that agriculture practiced by farmers will be given protection; such an order has been issued…BJP is doing politics during their regime, have they closed the Waqf Board?” Priyank Kharge told ANI.
Following a significant increase in the number of land claims by the Waqf Board, which affected the ancestral lands, temples, government buildings and even centrally protected monuments of farmers under the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) in several parts of Karnataka, this has given rise to a political row in the region. the state.
This situation has caused serious problems among local farmers and landowners, who are witnessing their land rights being questioned from generation to generation without proper notice or due process.
More than 15,000 hectares have been claimed in Vijayapura district alone, including ancestral agricultural land that is vital to the livelihood of local farmers. According to a press statement, in Honavada village in Tikota Taluk alone, over 1,500 hectares of agricultural land spread over 89 survey figures has been unilaterally claimed as Waqf property.
Many farmers in Babaleshwar Taluk have also received notices stating that their land has now been classified as Waqf property under the Waqf Act. Claims extend to temples and mutts, such as the Someshwara Temple (Chalukyan era) and Virakta Mutt (dating back to the 12th century), the statement added.
Meanwhile, the Principal Secretary to the Government of Karnataka, Revenue Department, has written to all Regional Commissioners and District Commissioners regarding the Waqf issue.
The letter warns of disciplinary action against officials who alter land mutation data and issue eviction notices to farmers under the Waqf Act.
The order issued on November 9 states that all notices addressed to farmers should be withdrawn, land mutation orders issued by any authority should be immediately withdrawn and mutation work should be stopped.