Mangaluru: What began as a small protest by farmers in Vijayapura over their land being designated as Waqf property has escalated into a national issue, prompting a scheduled visit from the chairperson of the Joint Parliamentary Committee (JPC) on Waqf amendments on Thursday.
For farmers, this remains a livelihood issue, but it has also become a political flashpoint for various leaders.
Initially perceived as a minor, localized grievance, the matter rapidly gained momentum, spreading to nearby districts and even farther. BJP leaders responded by staging protests in district headquarters across Karnataka, with prominent leaders like Bijapur MLA Basangouda Patil Yatnal, Union Minister Shobha Karandlaje, and several seers from Hindu religious Maths joining an indefinite protest in Vijayapura. The protest in Vijayapura entered its third day on Wednesday.
The state government’s promise to withdraw initial notices has failed to placate protestors, who now demand the complete revocation of the gazette notification.
For farmers, this issue strikes at the heart of their livelihoods; several have reported that their RTCs were marked as Waqf property, and many received notices in connection to this. Fear has spread among them, as such classifications could severely affect their future.
The scope of concern has broadened as Hindu religious institutions and historical sites—some under the Archaeological Survey of India—were also reportedly claimed as Waqf property.
BJP leaders, long critical of what they claim as the Congress party’s “appeasement politics,” argue that the recent Waqf Adalat, chaired by Minister Zameer Ahmed Khan, has further fueled public suspicion. BJP alleges that the Adalat was used as a platform to pressure district administrations to issue notices.
Basangouda Patil Yatnal, known for his outspoken stance, spearheaded the opposition, directly targeting Chief Minister Siddaramaiah and Minister Zameer.
Although internal divisions have prevented unified action within the BJP on the issue, party leaders have rallied across various regions to amplify the protest. The BJP leaders have demanded the state government to look into the report submitted by Anwar Manippady, former chairperson of the state minority commission. The report is said to have details about the encroachment of Waqf land by political leaders, many of whom are from the Congress.
The BJP has also demanded a CBI probe based on this report.
Realizing the issue’s escalating intensity, the state government moved swiftly to manage the situation, with Chief Minister Siddaramaiah announcing the withdrawal of notices and directing officials to nullify any unauthorized changes to land records. Congress leaders led by Siddaramaiah meanwhile pointed out that similar notifications were issued during BJP’s tenure. Video clip of former CM Basavaraj Bommai pledging to protect Waqf properties and BJP's election manifesto assuring to protect Waqf property were also shown as proof of the 'double standards of the BJP'.
Although the government’s response has somewhat lessened the intensity of the opposition, farmers remain wary of potential future notices. The issue’s timing is notable, coinciding with the Central government’s proposed amendments to the Waqf Act. Congress leaders contend that the BJP is politicizing the matter to sway public opinion, while the BJP argues that Congress is acting defensively, concerned about the impact of potential legislative changes.
A major question is whether this issue will influence the upcoming by-elections in Karnataka. Waqf Minister Zameer Ahmed Khan has accused the BJP of leveraging the Waqf issue to gain an advantage in by-elections in Shiggaon, Sandur, and Chennapatna, as well as the Maharashtra assembly elections. The Waqf land issue has predominantly affected districts bordering Maharashtra.
AICC Secretary PV Mohan has accused the BJP of using divisive issues to consolidate support during elections.
Although BJP state president BY Vijayendra has clarified that the party’s support for farmers is genuine and unrelated to electoral motives, the Waqf issue could still become one of the political issues during the by-elections. However, as the constituencies are among the less directly affected regions, the effect remains unclear.
Some BJP leaders acknowledge that the Congress government's quick decision to withdraw the notice and offer assurances to farmers might have diluted the potential electoral effects.
The visit of the JPC chairperson on Thursday could be pivotal, as protestors are expected to appeal for their case to be considered in the amendment deliberations. With the Waqf issue in the limelight, other matters like the MUDA scam and Valmiki Corporation misappropriation have taken a back seat. All eyes are on the outcome and resolution of this issue.
