We won’t touch temple, farmers’ properties, declares Zameer

Minister clarifies that his intention of conducting waqf adalats was to clear encroachment over waqf property

Minister for Waqf, B.Z. Zameer Ahmed Khan, on Thursday clarified that his intention of conducting waqf adalats was to clear the encroachment over 17,000 acres of waqf property and not claiming ownership of either temples or farmers.

Replying to the prolonged debate on the waqf issue in the Karnataka Legislative Council on Thursday, the Minister declared: “We will not touch temple property, we will not touch farmers’ properties.”

During BJP tenure

In his reply, the Minister said that the highest number of notices were issued during the BJP tenure and it was a standard procedure followed as ultimately revenue officials had to take the decision and pass orders.

He also clarified that wherever he conducted waqf adalats, he had invited the local MLAs and also during the meeting wih the Deputy Commisioners.

“In Vijayapura, I had invited Basanagouda R. Patil Yatnal also, but he did not turn up. However, after three days a protest was staged claiming that in Govinhalli 1,200 acres land has been identified as waqf property while the Deputy Commissioner clarified that it was only 11 acres,” he said.

The Minister appealed to the Opposition leaders not to raise a hue and cry over the issue as his intention was to only clear encroachments over waqf properties and not to stake claim over any property of temple and farmers. He also requested them to bring it to his notice any lapses pertaining to the waqf issue and he would take steps to rectify it.

Earlier, during the prolonged debate under Rule 68, B.K. Hariprasad, Umashree, Naseer Ahmed, Pratapsimha Nayak, P.H. Pujar and Leader of the Opposition Chalavadi Narayanaswamy spoke on the issue.

Published - December 12, 2024 10:38 pm IST