Waqf Board Claims Over 70 Heritage Sites and Government Lands in Karnataka
The Karnataka Waqf Board has sparked a major controversy by claiming over 70 properties in Srirangapatna, including government-owned lands, historic monuments, and even temples. The claims, listed in official Record of Rights, Tenancy, and Crops (RTC) documents, have left farmers, local residents, and historians deeply concerned.
Shocking Claims Over Iconic Sites
Among the properties claimed as Waqf land are:
- The Tipu Armoury is a historic monument.
- The Sri Chamarajendra Memorial Government M
Obelisk monument. Image Credit: Star of Mysore useum is under the jurisdiction of the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) and the State Department of Archaeology, Museums, Obelisk Monument, and Heritage Sites.
- Several agricultural plots are owned by farmers in Srirangapatna town and taluk.
- The Chikkamma Chikkadevi Temple in Mahadevpura village.
- A government school in Chandagalu village.
These claims have raised eyebrows and triggered serious discussions about the unprecedented reach of the Waqf Board’s assertions.
A Recurring Pattern of Controversy
This incident follows closely with a similar controversy in Vijaypura, Karnataka, where the Waqf Board claimed ownership of 1,200 acres of farmland in Honwada village, Tikota taluk. Farmers were served notices, asking them to prove ownership of lands their families had cultivated for generations.
After widespread protests, the Karnataka government had to step in, issuing orders to:
- Stop land mutation work related to Waqf claims.
- Withdraw all notices served to farmers.
- Take action against officials altering land records under the Waqf Act.
Despite these interventions, the Waqf Board’s audacious claims continue to spark unrest across Karnataka.
Waqf Claims: A Worrying Trend
As history shows, Waqf-related land claims often intensify under Congress rule. With a pattern of increased disputes over private, government, and temple lands. The Waqf Act, which grants the Board sweeping powers, has frequently been used to assert ownership over vast tracts of land, often without substantial evidence.
The Srirangapatna case raises pressing questions:
- How can properties belonging to government bodies, such as ASI, be suddenly claimed as Waqf land?
- Why are temples like the Chikkamma Chikkadevi Temple included in these claims?
- How can farmers, who have tilled lands for generations, suddenly face eviction under dubious claims?
These actions not only challenge individual and institutional ownership but also undermine the cultural and historical fabric of Karnataka.
The Need for Accountability
The Waqf Board’s sweeping claims highlight the urgent need for reform in the laws governing such bodies. While the Karnataka government has intervened to some extent, the recurring nature of these disputes underscores the lack of robust checks and balances.
When will this cycle of injustice stop? The audacity of claiming monuments, temples, and farmlands must be countered with strict legal frameworks and accountability. Allowing such claims to go unchecked threatens not only individual livelihoods but also India’s cultural heritage.
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Protecting Heritage and Justice
The controversy in Srirangapatna is not just a local issue—it reflects a systemic challenge that requires immediate attention. The Karnataka Waqf Board’s actions have once again brought the need for stringent land reforms to the forefront.
Citizens are left asking: How long will this injustice continue, and when will we see real accountability? As Waqf’s claims extend to heritage sites and government lands, it’s time for decisive action to protect the rights of individuals and preserve the sanctity of India’s historical and cultural treasures.