BJP, Congress clash on claims of Waqf land grabs in Karnataka’s Vijayapura

In light of the dispute regarding Waqf board’s claim to several acres of land in Karnataka’s Vijayapura district, Congress minister Zameer Ahmed Khan clarified that of the 1.12 lakh acres previously managed by Waqf, only 23,860 acres remain under its control. He refuted claims that Waqf appropriated farmers’ land, emphasising that he, too, comes from a farming background and would respect farmers’ rights.
Khan also criticised BJP MP Tejasvi Surya, suggesting that Surya’s recent press conference lacked reliable information. He noted that BJP’s stance on the issue may be a calculated move to stir controversy ahead of Maharashtra and Jharkhand elections, attributing this to political strategy.
Khan pointed out that the Muzrai department, which manages religious endowment land, has faced 748 acres of encroachment, questioning why BJP leaders have not addressed that issue as energetically.
The BJP, on the other hand, alleged that Waqf’s name was added to land records for 44 properties across Indi and Chadachan taluks in Vijayapura district without due notice, following a meeting between Khan and district officials. Many farmers, unaware of the sudden Record of Rights, Tenancy, and Crops (RTC) mutations, expressed concern over losing ancestral land.
The farmers in Vijayapura’s Honvada village said they received a letter from the Tehsildar on October 4, which stated that 1,500 acres of their ancestral land was being reassigned to the Waqf Board.
On the recent land mutations in favour of Waqf without proper notice, Congress leader MB Patil confirmed that 41 unauthorised changes had occurred in Column 11 of the Record of Rights, Tenancy, and Crops (RTC) and that the Deputy Commissioner (DC) has been instructed to correct these records. Additionally, he promised action against the responsible Tehsildar for allowing the changes without due notice or process.