Bengaluru, Oct 30 (UNI) Bengaluru South Lok Sabha MP Tejasvi Surya on Wednesday requested Chairman of the Joint Parliamentary Committee on the Waqf ( Amendment) Bill, 2024 Jagdambika Pal to invite farmers from Vijayapura District to discuss their land disputes with the Waqf Board.
In a letter to Pal, Surya commended the committee for its diligent work on the Waqf (Amendment) Bill and expressed his desire to ensure that the voices of local stakeholders are heard.
He highlighted a pressing issue faced by farmers in Vijayapura, who have cultivated their lands for nearly a century and possess records dating back to the 1920s and 1930s.
Recently, these farmers received notices declaring their lands as Waqf property, a move they argue lacks proper evidence and justification.
The situation has escalated, with reports indicating that approximately 1,500 acres in their village alone have been designated as Waqf property. Surya noted that changes have also been made in the RTC, pahani, and mutation registers for certain land parcels, allegedly without adhering to due legal processes.
Recognising the importance of these matters, the BJP MP has called for the delegation of affected farmers to provide testimony before the committee. He emphasised that their insights would be invaluable in understanding the local implications of the proposed amendments and the challenges faced by the agricultural community.
Moreover, he has requested a visit to the affected regions in Karnataka by the committee members to facilitate public hearings, allowing farmers to voice their grievances regarding the Waqf Board's actions. For direct communication, he has provided the contact number of the farmers' representative.
This initiative underscores the growing concern over land rights and the need for comprehensive dialogue between legislators and local stakeholders as the Joint Parliamentary Committee continues its important work on the Waqf (Amendment) Bill.
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