Housing, Waqf, and Minority Welfare Minister B.Z. Zameer Ahmed Khan
Belagavi: Housing, Waqf, and Minority Welfare Minister B.Z. Zameer Ahmed Khan stated that neither temples nor farmers' lands will be brought under Waqf ownership. He further assured that if any notices related to Waqf properties have been issued, they will be withdrawn.
"Even if a temple is built on Waqf land, the government will not touch it. Instead, the land will be handed back to the temple. Similarly, farmers' lands under cultivation will not be brought under Waqf ownership” Minister Khan said while addressing the concerns raised by opposition leaders under Rule 69.
The discussions revolved around allegations that farmers’ lands, temple premises, public properties, and government buildings were being recorded as Waqf properties.
He referred to the Waqf Amendment Act and the Supreme Court’s orders, highlighting the context of the Waqf Adalat held on June 25 in Vijayapura district. Following this event, revenue officials issued notices against alleged encroachments on Waqf properties. "These notices have been misunderstood, causing unwarranted confusion across the state,” he added.
Zameer Ahmed explained that properties donated by Muslim philanthropists for community welfare are categorized as Waqf properties.
Karnataka has a total of 1.28 lakh acres of Waqf property, according to records. Of this, 47,263 acres were granted under the Inam Abolition Act, and 23,623 acres were sanctioned to occupants under the Land Reforms Act. Approximately 3,000 acres have been acquired by the government for public purposes, and 17,969 acres are under private encroachment. Of these encroached lands, about 95 percent are occupied by members of the Muslim community, while the remaining 5 percent are held by individuals of other communities, he noted.
Zameer said that the Supreme Court issued orders in 1988 and 2017, instructing the removal of encroachments on Waqf properties. Successive governments have taken measures in line with these legal directives.
Calling for a non-political approach to the issue, Zameer Ahmed remarked, "Governments of all political stripes in Karnataka have issued notices on Waqf properties as per the law. This is not a matter for unnecessary politicization."
The minister also revealed that the central government allocated Rs 325 crore for the protection of Waqf properties, out of which Rs 6 crore was granted to Karnataka. These funds were utilized by the previous government for GPS mapping and flagging of Waqf lands.
He further assured that families residing on Waqf land in Mysuru’s Muneshwara Nagar would not be evicted. Referring to the land dispute involving the school in Muddenahalli, Chikkaballapur district, where Sir M. Visvesvaraya once studied, Zameer Ahmed said the government had resolved the issue. "The school has been granted land, and the pahani (ownership record) has been issued," he added.
( Source : Deccan Chronicle )
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