Karnataka's Waqf Land Controversy: CM Siddaramaiah Vows to Protect Farmers

Karnataka CM Siddaramaiah has assured farmers they won't be evicted amid allegations of Waqf land grabs. Despite opposition claims of anti-farmer policies, the state's ministers emphasized safeguarding legitimate landowners' rights. An investigative task force is reviewing property records to resolve the controversy.

In a move aimed at quelling rising tensions over land rights in Karnataka, Chief Minister Siddaramaiah has assured farmers that they will not face eviction amidst the alleged Waqf land grab controversy. Addressing the media, Siddaramaiah stated, "No farmers will be evicted from their lands and if notices are issued to them, they will be withdrawn."

The controversy ignited in districts such as Vijayapura, Yadgir, and Dharwad, where farmers were reportedly served notices, asserting their lands were Waqf properties. Ministers including Revenue Minister Krishna Byre Gowda, Vijayapura District In-charge Minister M.B. Patil, and Wakf Minister Zameer Ahmed held a press conference to address and clarify the concerns.

The tension between the BJP and the Congress-led government surged as BJP Spokesperson criticized the administration, labeling it as anti-poor and accusing it of sacrificing farmers' lands for political motives. However, Karnataka ministers have repeatedly assured that legitimate landowners have nothing to fear and attributed the controversy to political maneuvering by the BJP.

(With inputs from agencies.)