DK MP Capt Brijesh Chowta addresses the protesters during the protest organised by the DK BJP unit, in front of Gandhi statue situated at Rajaji Park in Mangaluru on Friday.
DH Photo / Fakruddin H
Mangaluru: The Dakshina Kannada district unit of BJP staged a protest against the alleged encroachment by Waqf Board in the state under the slogan ‘Namma Bhoomi Namma Hakku’ (Our land, our right), in front of Gandhi statue situated at Rajaji Park in Mangaluru on Friday.
Addressing the protesters, DK MP Capt Brijesh Chowta said “Waqf act was strengthened to facilitate “land jihad” by the Congress led government at the Centre by bringing in various amendments. Now, the Congress government led by Siddaramaiah is following anti- Hindu policy in different models. As a result, we have to protest our land. The Central government led by PM Narendra Modi is bringing in amendments to the Waqf Act. The waqf act is against the constitution,” he said.
Drawing a parallel to history, he said, "Just as Tipu Sultan’s regime targeted those following Hindu traditions, the current government is taking away Hindus of their rights to live on their lands under the pretext of Wakf property.”
He announced that the BJP would launch a massive campaign to protect the lands of Hindus and the poor. Party workers will visit every household to verify land ownership using RTC records and ensure that their lands are intact. Citing an example, he said in the last 24 years, around 35 properties in Mangaluru taluk have been notified as waqf properties. Of which, 50% of the properties are either government land or waqf by user land.
Mangalore city North MLA Dr Y Bharath Shetty emphasised the need for awareness about the alleged misuse of Waqf laws and said “This threat isn’t just limited to BJP workers but could also affect Congress leaders like Ramanath Rai and Ivan D’Souza.”
MLA D Vedavyasa Kamath said “in the name of waqf property, land belonging to farmers, mutts are being encroached. It is not sufficient for the government to withdraw notices issued to the farmers for acquisition. The land should be dropped from the waqf name, so that farmers can have their own land.”
BJP district president Sathish Kumpala, leaders Monappa Bhandary, and others were present.