 |
|
The Waqf Bill, a proposed legislation in India aimed at regulating Waqf properties, has ignited controversy in Karnataka, leading to a clash between the ruling Congress and the opposition BJP. The recent visit of Joint Parliamentary Committee (JPC) Chairman Jagdambika Pal to Hubballi to meet farmers protesting the alleged illegal acquisition of their land by the Waqf Board has further escalated tensions. The visit, facilitated by BJP MP Tejasvi Surya, has been interpreted by the Congress as a politically motivated move aimed at influencing the upcoming state elections.
The farmers, who claim that their ancestral land was designated as Waqf property without prior notice or due process, have been staging protests, raising concerns about the lack of transparency and fairness in the land acquisition process. The JPC, tasked with examining the Waqf Bill, has been conducting hearings across the country to gather feedback and assess the impact of the proposed legislation. Pal, after meeting with the protesting farmers in Hubballi, assured them that the fact-finding report would be presented during the winter session of Parliament.
However, the Congress, led by Deputy Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar, has vehemently dismissed the JPC's visit as political drama. Shivakumar asserts that land is a state subject under the Indian Constitution and that the JPC has no authority to intervene in matters related to land acquisition. He argues that the BJP's actions are driven by political expediency in the run-up to the elections and accuses the party of attempting to shift blame for the issue onto the Congress government. This ongoing dispute highlights the complex interplay of land rights, religious legislation, and political maneuvering, with the Waqf Bill becoming a focal point of contention between the two major parties.
While the JPC's visit has provided a platform for the farmers to voice their concerns and for the BJP to highlight the issue, the ultimate outcome remains uncertain. The fact-finding report, expected to be presented in Parliament, could significantly influence the final shape of the Waqf Bill. The controversy surrounding the bill and the JPC's visit is likely to continue as the state gears up for elections, potentially influencing the political landscape in Karnataka.
Source: Waqf Bill: Row erupts over JPC Chairperson meeting with protesting farmers in Karnataka's Hubballi