Karnataka Deputy Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar has criticised the recent visit of Jagdambika Pal, Chairman of the Joint Parliamentary Committee (JPC) on the Waqf (Amendment) Bill, 2024, describing it as a “political drama” orchestrated with elections in mind, reports The Hindu.
Speaking to the media in Hubballi on November 7, Shivakumar accused the BJP of politicising the waqf issue, noting that the process of issuing notices regarding waqf land originally began under the BJP in 2019. He suggested that the party is now attempting to shift the blame onto the Congress.
“It is all political drama because of the elections. This is State land and a State matter,” Shivakumar remarked. “The BJP itself started this process, giving notices to farmers in various districts, including Dharwad. What’s happening now is a continuation of what they initiated.”
The JPC Chairman’s visit to Karnataka has brought heightened attention to the ongoing waqf land dispute, with various groups and BJP leaders presenting representations to the committee. The visit also included an interaction with farmers, who have been vocal about their concerns over waqf land claims.
