A controversy is unfolding in Karnataka’s Vijayapura district over the alleged transfer of farmland ownership to the Waqf Board without proper notice, sparking public outcry and political responses. BJP IT cell chief Amit Malviya stated that in recent weeks, land records for 44 properties in Vijayapura were changed to reflect Waqf Board ownership, reportedly affecting farmers in Indi and Chadachan taluks. These sudden updates to the Record of Rights, Tenancy, and Crops (RTC) left farmers in shock, as they were not given the chance for hearings or prior notification.
Shocking details emerge in the Vijayapura land grab case in Karnataka.
Not just notices, Waqf Board name was inserted in revenue records in Vijayapura overnight, RTC (Record of Rights, Tenancy and Crops) mutation done to include Waqf name.
Waqf Board name inserted in land… pic.twitter.com/cbD1bT4oJZ---Advertisement---— Amit Malviya (@amitmalviya) October 28, 2024
Farmers’ Shock and Concerns
Farmers in Honvada village reported receiving a notice from the Tehsildar on October 4 that stated 1,500 acres of their ancestral land would be reassigned to the Waqf Board. Many farmers were blindsided, claiming they typically receive notifications before any changes in RTCs. Local leaders said the sudden changes affected around 433 farmers, linked to more than 120 survey numbers.
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State Government’s Clarification
In response to the situation, Karnataka Minister MB Patil attributed the confusion to a gazette error, clarifying that only 11 acres of the land in question belongs to the Waqf Board, including religious areas like a mosque and burial grounds. Patil assured farmers that the rest of the disputed land remains with them, as confirmed by district officials, and pledged to resolve the confusion promptly.
Investigation Ordered
The Karnataka government assigned Assistant Commissioner Abid Gadyal to review all recent land record changes in Vijayapura. Reports suggest that the Tehsildar in Indi Taluk made RTC updates without notifying landowners, a breach of procedure. A suo moto case has been filed to investigate and address any inconsistencies, and the government has instructed officials to maintain transparency in the process.
Protests and Political Reactions
Frustrated by the sudden changes, affected farmers organized a protest at the Deputy Commissioner’s office in Vijayapura, holding ancestral land documents to assert their ownership. They argue that land records in villages like Tenahalli and Honvada were updated in favor of the Waqf Board after a visit from Waqf Minister Zameer Ahmed Khan, who reportedly directed officials to address Waqf land claims in the area.
The incident has led to public scrutiny of land governance practices in Karnataka, with the state government promising a thorough investigation and transparency in the land reassignment processes going forward.
