Karnataka Waqf land row: CM Siddaramaiah orders immediate withdrawal of notices to farmers

Karnataka Home Minister G Parameshwara on Saturday said that Chief Minister Siddaramaiah has directed all deputy commissioners to withdraw any notices or letters to farmers under the Waqf Act. The Waqf Board has reportedly claimed that certain lands were registered in its name 50 years ago. However, Parameshwara clarified that the Waqf and revenue records must align for any claims to be valid; otherwise, revenue records will take precedence. Meanwhile, Deputy Chief Minister D K Shivakumar accused the BJP of initiating the issuance of notices and altering the Records of Rights, Tenancy, and Crops (RTC) under the Waqf Act.

"Chief Minister Siddaramaiah has issued a strict directive for the immediate retraction of all notices sent to farmers about Waqf land, emphasising that no disruption should be caused to them," a statement from the Chief Minister's Office (CMO) read. The statement noted Siddaramaiah’s dissatisfaction with recent actions by certain officials and highlighted concerns that the JD(S) and BJP were allegedly using the Waqf issue for political gains, potentially disrupting peace in the state.
“Siddaramaiah has urged the public to ignore any misinformation and directed officials to handle the matter with sensitivity,” it added. The statement also emphasised that all notices issued to farmers regarding land records tied to Waqf properties must be promptly withdrawn. Officials were instructed to avoid harassing farmers or causing any issues related to lands under their possession.

The CM further directed that any unauthorised changes made to land records (Pahani or RTC) without prior notice or legal procedures should be immediately nullified. The meeting was attended by Karnataka Law and Parliamentary Affairs Minister H K Patil, Revenue Minister Krishna Byre Gowda, and senior government officials. However, Minority Welfare and Waqf Minister B Z Zameer Ahmed Khan was not present.

G Parameshwara also stated that the revenue records would be treated as final, and administrative actions would align with them.The matter is now resolved, though we are uncertain about possible developments in the future,” Parameshwara told reporters. ”The BJP began issuing notices and changing revenue records under the Waqf Act. We will not allow any farmer to be evicted from their land. If any officer acts otherwise, we will take corrective action,” Shivakumar told media in Mangaluru.