BJP to Protest in Karnataka Over Waqf Property Issues and Minister’s Resignation
Bengaluru: The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) is set to stage a statewide protest in Karnataka on Monday, demanding the withdrawal of the controversial 1974 Waqf property gazette notification and calling for an investigation by central agencies into alleged governmental misuse of authority. The protest aims to spotlight the alleged land transfer controversies involving Minority Welfare Minister BZ Zameer Ahmed Khan, with the BJP insisting on his resignation.
At a press conference on Saturday in Bengaluru, former Deputy Chief Minister and BJP MLA C.N. Ashwath Narayan announced the party’s intentions to mobilize support for its cause. The BJP is seeking an inquiry by the Enforcement Directorate (ED) and the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) into claims that false records were created within the Karnataka Waqf Board for monetary gain over the past 50 years.
The party alleges that these records are being exploited for minority appeasement and vote-bank politics, creating a climate of fear among farmers, monasteries, and Hindu temples regarding potential land loss. “Merely withdrawing notices is not enough,” Ashwath Narayan stated, insisting that the names of farmers be restored in property records and that the 1974 gazette notification be repealed.
In response to the escalating tensions surrounding the Waqf issue, Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah issued a directive to officials, instructing them to retract all notices sent to farmers regarding Waqf land. He emphasized that no disturbances should be caused to the agricultural community. This directive followed a high-level meeting involving senior officials from the Revenue Department, Minority Welfare Department, and the Waqf Board.
CM Siddaramaiah expressed dissatisfaction with recent actions taken by certain officials, accusing the JD(S) and BJP of leveraging the Waqf issue for political advantage, which could potentially disrupt the peace in Karnataka.
As the protest approaches, the political landscape in the state remains charged, with the BJP aiming to galvanize public support and spotlight what it describes as a critical issue impacting farmers and land rights in Karnataka.
