Tejasvi Surya Advocates for Karnataka Farmers in Waqf Land Dispute

BJP MP Tejasvi Surya has requested the Chairperson of the Joint Parliamentary Committee on the Waqf (Amendment) Bill 2024 to involve Karnataka farmers as witnesses in land dispute discussions. Farmers from Vijayapura claim their lands have been incorrectly designated as Waqf property, raising concerns about due process violations.

In a recent appeal, BJP MP Tejasvi Surya urged the Chairperson of the Joint Parliamentary Committee on the Waqf (Amendment) Bill 2024, Jagdambika Pal, to involve Karnataka's Vijayapura district farmers as witnesses to discuss their land disputes with the Waqf Board. The appeal centers around farmers claiming unjust designation of their lands as Waqf property, without clear evidence or legal justification.

Surya, who represents Bengaluru South, recounted his encounter with a delegation of these farmers, who insisted their lands have been under cultivation for nearly a century. They are now facing abrupt notices declaring them as Waqf property, affecting approximately 1,500 acres in just one village. Concerns have risen regarding procedural violations in local land records, which the farmers argue points to a larger issue of governance and oversight.

Emphasizing the importance of firsthand accounts, Surya requested that these farmers be heard by the Committee. He also proposed a visit to the affected regions for further investigation and public hearings. Responding to these allegations, Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah assured farmers they would not face eviction and that the contentious notices would be revoked.

(With inputs from agencies.)