Belagavi: Chief Minister Siddaramaiah on Wednesday said the government is ready to form a committee headed by a retired judge to deal with issues related to waqf properties.
Speaking during the legislative session at Belagavi Suvarna Soudha, Siddaramaiah responded to concerns raised by opposition leaders under Rule 69 regarding waqf properties.
He said that the state government has given clear answers to all the questions and disputes raised by the opposition.
Siddaramaiah assured that the government will not take back the lands given under the Inams Abolition Act and Land Reforms Act. “It is the government’s responsibility to protect burial places, shrines and mosques on waqf land,” he said.
Giving an overview of waqf properties in Karnataka, Siddaramaiah said the state has 1.28 lakh acres of waqf land, of which 47,263 acres are under the Inam Abolition Act, 23,623 acres under the Land Reforms Act, and 3,000 acres of reformed land. Public purposes. About 17 thousand 969 acres of waqf land has been encroached by private individuals. The Supreme Court has directed to remove these encroachments for the protection of Waqf property.
“Once the name of waqf land is registered, it remains a waqf property forever. If the opposition is not satisfied with the government’s explanation, we are ready to form a committee under the chairmanship of a retired judge to investigate the matter.” There is no reputation here. Siddaramaiah clarified.
Siddaramaiah highlighted that the Waqf Act was enacted by the central government in 1954, and state governments lacked the power to amend it. He pointed out that Karnataka was ruled by BJP-led governments from 2008 to 2013 and again from 2019 to 2023, while the BJP has been in power at the Center since 2014.
“Despite this, no amendments were made to the Waqf Act during those periods, and still they try to create controversies,” Siddaramaiah remarked.
The Chief Minister also pointed out that the BJP at the Center has promised in its manifesto to consult Muslim religious leaders and ensure preservation of Waqf properties by removing encroachments.