MP Tejasvi Surya on the Waqf board land dispute, says “Farmers who are witnessing the sudden takeover of land…”

When asked to clarify the basis of this land dispute, Surya pointed out that the claims came directly from the affected farmers.

In an exclusive interview with NewsX, Bengaluru South MP Tejasvi Surya shared his views and actions on the recent Waqf land disputes in Karnataka. Surya, who has been actively supporting farmers affected by Waqf board land claims, took up the issue of 15,000 acres of agricultural land allegedly brought under Waqf control, impacting several farmers in the Vijayapura area.

When asked to clarify the basis of this land dispute, Surya pointed out that the claims came directly from the affected farmers. “Farmers report that 15,000 acres of their land have been notified or registers of transfer (RTC) have been changed without any prior warning,” Surya said.

“That is not my claim; is the claim of the farmers. They are the ones witnessing their land being suddenly taken over by the Waqf board without notice.”

Surya also took the initiative to involve the Joint Parliamentary Committee (JPC) on Waqf by inviting farmers to give direct testimony. “It is crucial that the JPC, which is tasked with studying Waqf issues and proposing legislative changes, hears from these farmers,” explained Surya. “Their first-hand accounts will help expose any abuse of process and guide our recommendations for necessary reforms.”

why now

Surya addressed why this issue is garnering attention now, during Prime Minister Modi’s third term, rather than in previous terms. He pointed out that the government has tackled other significant reforms in the past, such as the repeal of Article 370, the passage of the Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA) and the construction of the Ram Mandir. “This issue is long-standing and we are now committed to addressing it in this term,” he added.

On the extent of land under Waqf board claims across all states, Surya estimated that in Karnataka alone, recent claims suggest that around 50,000 acres are under dispute, while Andhra Pradesh, Telangana and Tamil Nadu also have , hundreds of acres reportedly under dispute or encroachment by the waqf Board. “These claims are not mine, they come directly from the farmers,” Surya clarified.

Recent discussions on the control of Waqf lands in Karnataka highlight a growing concern for transparency and accountability in the administration of Waqf properties as farmers look to the government for protection and resolution of their land disputes.

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