Vijayapura: The Joint Parliamentary Committee (JPC) Chairperson on the Waqf (Amendment) Bill Jagdambika Pal visited Vijayapura to address growing concerns among Karnataka’s farmers regarding the alleged misuse of Waqf property laws.
Farmers and seers, led by Union Minister Shobha Karandlaje and MLA Basangouda Patil Yatnal, have been holding an indefinite protest in Vijayapura for the past four days.
“I was scheduled to go to Guwahati but had to rush here after hearing about the concerns raised by the farmers protesting here. I have come to listen to the grievances of the farmers. People have expressed dissatisfaction with the Waqf Board's actions,” Pal said.
He added that MP and JPC member Tejaswi Surya, along with Union Minister Pralhad Joshi, had briefed him about the problems faced by farmers in Karnataka. Many farmers also submitted petitions to him in Vijayapura.
Responding to criticisms about the absence of the full JPC team, Pal emphasized that the committee had received suggestions from over one crore citizens and aims to create fair legislation. He assured that the new amendments to the Waqf Act are intended to prevent misuse.
Pal noted that historically-owned properties are being designated as Waqf land, which is causing significant distress among farmers. He also highlighted the recent surge in Waqf notices issued to farmers, questioning Waqf Minister Zameer Ahmed Khan for allegedly giving targets to district officials.
Pal stressed that the state government must clarify why land records were abruptly changed over the past two months, leading to confusion among farmers.
He also mentioned similar claims emerging on properties designated as national monuments by the Archaeological Survey of India. “Fifty-three monuments in the state are being claimed by the Waqf Board,” he remarked.
Pal assured farmers that he would bring all documentation and appeals collected in Vijayapura to the government and committed to advocating for fair changes to the Waqf law.
