Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah has directed officials to immediately withdraw all notices issued to farmers concerning disputes over Waqf land. This decision was made during a high-level meeting involving senior officials from the Revenue department, the Minority Welfare department, and the Karnataka Board of Waqfs.
The Chief Minister’s Office (CMO) released a statement emphasizing Siddaramaiah’s strong directive to retract all notices sent to farmers, highlighting the importance of not disrupting their lives or livelihoods. The decision comes in light of dissatisfaction expressed by Siddaramaiah regarding the recent actions of certain officials, as well as concerns that opposition parties, namely the JD(S) and BJP, were using the Waqf issue for political gain, potentially destabilizing the peace in the state.
In the statement, Siddaramaiah urged the public to dismiss any misinformation regarding the situation and instructed officials to handle the matter with the utmost sensitivity. The directive underscores a commitment to protecting farmers from harassment related to land under their possession, particularly in relation to properties associated with Waqf.
Furthermore, the Chief Minister mandated that any unauthorized alterations made to land records, known as Pahani or RTC, without appropriate legal procedures or prior notice, be nullified immediately. This move is aimed at restoring clarity and fairness in land ownership and administration.
The meeting was attended by key government figures, including Karnataka Law and Parliamentary Affairs Minister H K Patil and Revenue Minister Krishna Byre Gowda. However, Minority Welfare and Waqf Minister B Z Zameer Ahmed Khan was notably absent from the discussions.
Earlier, Karnataka Home Minister G Parameshwara announced that all District Deputy Commissioners had been instructed not to issue notices to farmers under the Waqf Act. He reaffirmed that revenue records would be regarded as final, ensuring that administrative actions align with these records.
Parameshwara added that Siddaramaiah’s instruction to withdraw such notices signifies that the matter is effectively resolved for now, though the future remains uncertain regarding any further developments on the issue.