Bengaluru, Jan 1 (NationPress) In response to accusations from BJP leaders suggesting that the Congress-led administration in Karnataka is allocating housing to Bangladeshi encroachers, Housing and Waqf Minister Zameer Ahmed Khan asserted on Thursday that there is absolutely no provision for granting houses to outsiders. He further challenged the opposition to substantiate their claims that the individuals affected are indeed Bangladeshis.

Speaking to reporters in Bengaluru, Zameer Khan stated, "All of them are locals. Even if outsiders had been residing there and lost their homes, we will not be distributing houses to them. False narratives are being propagated. I noticed that the Leader of the Opposition, R. Ashoka, visited the location and asserted that they are Bangladeshis. As the Leader of the Opposition in the State Assembly, I would like to ask him—can Bangladeshis be granted houses here?"

He elaborated, "Even if outsiders are present, is it legally permissible to assign houses to them? Document verification is currently ongoing. The Deputy Commissioner and the Tahsildar have advised us to proceed cautiously to ensure no unfairness occurs, and they have requested additional time."

"Therefore, I consulted with Chief Minister Siddaramaiah and recommended that we delay the house allotment originally scheduled for January 1, opting instead to address it on January 2. The Deputy Commissioner has communicated with me, and nearly everything is prepared," the minister remarked.

Zameer Khan noted that a total of 257 houses are situated at Kogilu Layout, with 167 of them having been demolished.

"The final verdict lies with the Chief Minister. Only local residents shall receive houses. Such statements are made for political expediency. How can that be justified?" he questioned.

He insisted that beneficiaries must be residents of Karnataka and possess Below Poverty Line (BPL) cards and Aadhaar cards.

"Is it feasible to allocate houses to outsiders? There is no scenario in which that can occur. Individuals who speak Urdu or originate from outside will not be given homes," he affirmed.

"Authentic documentation such as voter ID cards and ration cards is essential. Let the opposition demonstrate that the affected individuals are Bangladeshis. How can they reside here in India? How is it possible for them to be in Karnataka? They must cease their irresponsible remarks," the minister asserted.

In related news, sources indicated that on Friday (January 2), the government will distribute houses to those whose residences, constructed on government land, were demolished in Kogilu Layout, Bengaluru. The Greater Bengaluru Authority (GBA) and the Rajiv Gandhi Housing Corporation are overseeing the allotments for eligible beneficiaries.

Chief Minister Siddaramaiah has directed officials to identify legitimate beneficiaries. Revenue Department and GBA officials are engaged in the verification process, and arrangements have been finalized for the house handover, sources reported.

In a social media post on platform X, Leader of the Opposition R. Ashoka alleged on Thursday: "In Karnataka, Kannadigas are being misled and ‘mini Bangladeshes’ are emerging. Since the Congress-led government took office, the state is transforming into a hub of mini Bangladeshes. The government has capitulated following a single tweet from the Kerala government."

He further questioned: "How did news of the eviction drive at Kogilu Layout reach Pakistan? Did the information leak from a Pakistani sleeper cell operating here? While countless impoverished individuals in our state, including Scheduled Castes and families from backward communities, await housing and site allocations, the Congress government—supposed to support them—has opted to appease Muslims from other states.

"Instead of taking decisive action against migrants who have illegally occupied land in Karnataka, this anti-national Congress government has bowed to the demands of the high command," Ashoka concluded.