November 2, 2024: In a decisive move aimed at protecting farmers' interests, Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah has instructed officials to withdraw all notices issued to farmers regarding disputes over Waqf land. This decision came during a high-level meeting that included senior officials from the Revenue and Minority Welfare departments, as well as representatives from the Karnataka Board of Waqfs.

According to a statement from the Chief Minister's Office (CMO), Siddaramaiah emphasized the need for immediate action to avoid any disruption to the farming community. "No disruption should be caused to farmers," the statement read, reflecting Siddaramaiah’s commitment to safeguarding their rights amid ongoing tensions surrounding land ownership.

The Chief Minister expressed his dissatisfaction with the recent actions of certain officials and raised concerns that political parties, particularly the JD(S) and BJP, were exploiting the Waqf issue for electoral gain, potentially jeopardizing peace in the state. He urged the public to disregard any misinformation circulating about the situation.

The directive mandates the prompt withdrawal of all notices concerning land records linked to Waqf properties. Siddaramaiah has also ordered officials to refrain from harassing farmers and to ensure that any unauthorized changes to land records (Pahani or RTC) made without legal due process be nullified immediately.

The meeting, attended by key figures including Karnataka Law and Parliamentary Affairs Minister H K Patil and Revenue Minister Krishna Byre Gowda, underscored the government’s proactive stance on the matter. However, Minority Welfare and Waqf Minister B Z Zameer Ahmed Khan was notably absent from the discussions.

Earlier this week, Karnataka Home Minister G Parameshwara had already instructed all District Deputy Commissioners to refrain from issuing notices to farmers under the Waqf Act, aligning with Siddaramaiah’s recent orders.