Karnataka BJP to Persist in Opposing Congress Government's Waqf Policy, Viewing Hindus as 'Inferior' Citizens

Belagavi (Karnataka), Dec 19 (NationPress) The Karnataka BJP declared on Wednesday that it will maintain its opposition to the Congress government's Waqf policy, which it believes is relegating Hindus to the status of second-grade citizens in the state.

During a media briefing at the Suvarna Vidhana Soudha following a walkout over the Waqf matter, Leader of the Opposition, R. Ashoka, stated that the struggle against the Waqf land acquisition policy has been brought to the Assembly session and will extend to the streets in the future.

He added, "Withdrawing the Waqf-related notices will not resolve the issue. It is simply a strategy to mislead the public. We have informed the Chief Minister that there will be no advantage unless the 1974 gazette notification issued by the state government is revoked. However, Chief Minister Siddaramaiah has declined to repeal the notification, asserting his support for Muslims."

He accused Chief Minister Siddaramaiah of regarding Hindus as second-class citizens.

"Farmers are enduring hardships, yet the Chief Minister has remained silent about repealing the 1974 gazette. Instead, he boasts about winning three elections," Opposition leader Ashoka remarked while criticizing the Congress government.

He further noted, "When our BJP administration was in power, we won 18 by-elections. Does that imply we should celebrate every success? This mismanaged government, filled with arrogance, is uprooting farmers. The Chief Minister has never once advocated for the farmers."

Opposition leader Ashoka challenged the Chief Minister's assertion that the Waqf Board possesses only 21,000 acres of land.

"I possess documents published by the Waqf Board that indicate 84,000 acres of land are under dispute. Check the Waqf Board website," he challenged, asserting that being under dispute signifies ownership by the Waqf Board.

He accused the Congress government of arrogance stemming from its backing of 136 MLAs and claimed it acts contrary to the interests of farmers and Hindus.

"By walking out of the Assembly, we have shown the people of the state that we support the farmers," Ashoka emphasized.

He also charged the government with endorsing "land jihad" by Muslims.

"In Muneshwara Nagar, Mysuru, this administration is displacing 110 families. They are claiming even the land associated with M. Visvesvaraya as Waqf Board property. How can a structure with a history spanning 110 years suddenly be classified as Waqf Board property?" he questioned.

Opposition leader Ashoka labeled the Waqf Board as a deceptive entity that is appropriating lands belonging to Karnataka's farmers and Hindus like a phantom.

"We have contested this in the Assembly, and our fight will continue beyond this point. We will take our battle to the streets," he cautioned.