Karnataka government urged to address misuse of Waqf Act and protect farmers’ interests
Team Clarion
HUBLI — The government has no intention to nationalise Waqf properties, Union Minister Prahalad Joshi has said. Addressing media personnel here on Saturday, he urged the Karnataka state government, led by the Congress party, to work towards limiting the extensive powers currently held by the Waqf Board. Joshi emphasised that if the state government is truly concerned about farmers, it should address these issues, particularly by retracting a recent order issued in Haveri District.
Joshi alleged that the Waqf Board has been exploiting its authority, resulting in unauthorised land acquisitions. He claimed that numerous properties have been encroached upon under the banner of Waqf holdings. “Several houses have been built on these lands registered as Waqf properties, which has created difficulties for property holders seeking loans, and these properties are not available for sale,” he stated.
The Joint Parliamentary Committee (JPC) has scheduled visits to five cities to conduct a study review of the Waqf Amendment Bill, an initiative that aims to scrutinise the use and governance of Waqf properties nationwide. The Union Minister criticised officials involved with Waqf management for what he described as irresponsible actions, claiming that there has been a significant misuse of powers under the Waqf Act. He urged citizens to verify their Record of Rights, Tenancy, and Crops (RTC) documents to check for any discrepancies regarding property rights.
Joshi also responded to Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah’s recent tweet targeting Prime Minister Narendra Modi. Joshi urged the chief minister to choose his words carefully when addressing the prime minister, a sentiment echoed by BJP MP Basavaraj Bommai, who described Siddaramaiah’s comments as disrespectful. Bommai remarked, “It is unfortunate that the CM does not recognise the gravity of addressing the nation’s prime minister and should demonstrate respect for the position.”
The discussion surrounding Waqf properties and the demand for amendments to the Waqf Act has stirred debate within Karnataka and beyond, highlighting issues of property rights, administrative accountability, and respect for leadership.
