"Instructed officials to withdraw notices already issued to farmers": Karnataka CM on Waqf land controversy

Addressing a public gathering here today, CM Siddaramaiah said, "The previous BJP government had also issued notices to those illegally occupying Waqf properties. Now I have told my officials not to issue any notices to farmers. I have instructed officials to withdraw the notices already issued to farmers."

Earlier on November 2, Chief Minister Siddaramaiah issued a strict directive to officials to immediately retract all notices sent to farmers concerning waqf land issues, emphasizing that no disturbances should be caused to the farmers, according to a statement by the Chief Minister's Office.

On Saturday, Karnataka Waqf and Minority Affairs Minister Zameer Ahmed Khan slammed the opposition BJP in the state for a row over waqf notice to farmers and alleged that it was "projected differently."

Speaking to ANI on Saturday, Khan said that the notice has been withdrawn for reconsideration.

"The temporary notice served to farmers has been made into a big issue by the BJP. They have projected it differently and are giving the wrong message to the country. The CM has decided to withdraw the notice and we are reconsidering it," he told ANI on Saturday.

The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has alleged that Waqf's name was added to land records for 44 properties across Indi and Chadachan taluks in Vijayapura district without proper notice, following a meeting between Karnataka Minister Zameer Ahmed Khan and district officials. Many farmers, unaware of the sudden Record of Rights, Tenancy, and Crops (RTC) mutations, have expressed concern over losing ancestral land.

Further, speaking on Prime Minister Narendra Modi's criticism on Congress-ruled states, the Karnataka CM said, "PM Modi objected to our guarantee schemes. Prime Minister Modi said that Karnataka will face economic hardship if the Congress government implements its five guarantees. However, we have implemented our guarantee schemes. 3.5 crore women are traveling free in government buses under Shakti schemes."

On November 1, PM Modi criticized the Congress Party for failing to deliver on their promises in Karnataka and urged the people to be vigilant and not fall prey to the Party's false promises.

PM Modi emphasized the Congress Party's history of making empty promises, citing their unfulfilled loan waiver commitments in several states, including Karnataka, Madhya Pradesh, Chhattisgarh, Punjab, and Rajasthan. (ANI)