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Daijiworld Media Network – Udupi (TP)

Udupi, Nov 21: "If tomorrow, the Waqf Board declares Krishna Math as Waqf property, we cannot question it," stated MP Kota Srinivas Poojary during a protest organized by the Udupi district BJP under the campaign ‘Our Land is Our Right’ at the DC office in Manipal on November 21.

Speaking at the event, Poojary expressed concerns over the alleged appropriation of lands as Waqf property. "The slogan 'Our Land is Our Right' reflects the fear among people that their rightful lands may be taken away. About 14,000 farmers had their lands declared as Waqf property without their knowledge. For example, Biradar Swamiji, who was living peacefully, later discovered his land had been marked under Waqf, leaving him without any rights," he said.

He further criticized Congress, saying, "Before claiming land as personal property, it is essential to verify the RTC records. Priyanka Karge claims that Waqf property declarations happened during a BJP government, but the Waqf Board has never supported BJP, it has always favoured Congress. When Prime Minister Narendra Modi imposed restrictions on the Waqf Board, Congress began protesting immediately."

Poojary also addressed broader concerns about governance, stating, "The state government, which promised money instead of rice to BPL cardholders, has failed to deliver to 50% of them. This injustice will not be tolerated."

Former MLA Pramod Madhwaraj accused Congress of minority appeasement, saying, "This began during Jawaharlal Nehru's tenure and continued under Indira Gandhi, Rajiv Gandhi, and Manmohan Singh, who declared that minorities, particularly Muslims, have the first right to claim the nation's resources. Opposing Sanatan Dharma in India is unforgivable. When I was an MLA, Siddaramaiah proposed acquiring Krishna Math, but I strongly opposed it, even threatening to resign."

Highlighting the alleged misuse of Waqf lands, Uday Kumar Shetty, convener of the Mangaluru region, said, "The Modi-led central government introduced reforms to the Waqf Board by forming a joint committee. The state government responded by acquiring land, resulting in the Waqf Board taking over 54,000 acres. Of this, 29,000 acres have been misappropriated by Congress leaders. Funds from Waqf properties have allegedly been used for election expenses, with Waqf Board managers transferring properties into their own names."

Former Udupi district BJP president Kuilady Suresh Nayak also condemned the Waqf Act, stating, "This legislation was introduced during Nehru's tenure. Lands were allocated to Muslims in Pakistan and Bangladesh at the time of Independence, yet Congress remains dissatisfied. Zameer Ahamad claimed, 'This is the land of Allah’, but I assert this land belongs to Rama. Such legislation was never enacted during British rule but was introduced under Congress governance."

The protest saw a massive turnout, condemning what was termed the ‘illegalities’ of the Waqf Board. Reshma Uday Kumar welcomed the gathering.

Prominent attendees included MLAs Sunil Kumar, Gururaj Gantihole, and Kiran Kumar Kodgi; former MLA Pramod Madwaraj; Udupi district BJP president Kishore Kumar Kundapur; general secretary Herga Dinakar Shetty; leaders Shilpa Suvarna, Dinakar Babu, and Thingalaya Vikramarjun Shetty; and Udupi city municipality president Prabhakar Poojary.