Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) national spokesperson Shehzad Poonawalla has slammed the Congress-led Karnataka government for its moves related to the Waqf land issue, ANI reported.

Speaking to the news agency, Poonawalla jibed at the state government for retracting notices related to the Waqf land issue and called it a “U-turn expert”.

‘U-turn, Vote Bank’

“The Karnataka government has now become a U-turn expert. First, it says that there was no MUDA scam, and then it returns to the land of the MUDA scam. Now Siddaramaiah has ordered that no farmer’s land will be taken,” Poonawalla said.

“But Waqf is not stopping at all, 53 Waqf properties have been identified in Vijayapura and Karnataka. This clearly means that the Congress wanted to give the farmers’ land to Waqf, to its vote bank, in a planned manner. Today, when the process of bringing amendments in Waqf takes place in JPC, the Congress opposes it,” he added.

What Happened?

According to a statement by the Chief Minister’s Office, CM Siddaramaiah on November 2 directed officials to immediately retract all notices sent to farmers concerning waqf land issues, stating that no disturbances should be caused to the farmers.

On the same day, Karnataka Waqf and Minority Affairs Minister Zameer Ahmed Khan slammed the opposition BJP in the state for a row over waqf notice to farmers and alleged that it was “projected differently.”

Speaking to ANI on November 2, Khan said that the notice has been withdrawn for reconsideration. “The temporary notice served to farmers has been made into a big issue by the BJP. They have projected it differently and are giving the wrong message to the country. The CM has decided to withdraw the notice and we are reconsidering it,” he stated.

‘Disturbance of Peace’

The Chief Minister’s directive came after a high-level meeting involving senior officials from the Revenue Department, Minority Welfare Department, and the Waqf Board.

The CM expressed strong dissatisfaction over recent actions taken by certain officials and highlighted that the JD(S) and BJP were allegedly using the Waqf matter for political gain, potentially disturbing peace in the state. He appealed to the public to disregard any misinformation and called on officials to ensure the matter was handled sensitively, as per the report.

Karnataka Legislative Council LoP Chalavadi Narayanaswamy reacted to the withdrawal orders by calling it an “eyewash” to win the local elections. “Now, you’ve given the order to withdraw the notices. But still, in the gazette, it is only Waqf’s property. So this is not a solution at all. I will immediately request CM Siddaramaiah to withdraw the 1974 gazette. Otherwise, it is just an eyewash to win the local elections. This will not bring any relief to the farmers,” he alleged.

Hindi imposition row: Union Minister L Murugan has hit out at Tamil Nadu deputy Chief Minister Udhayanidhi Stalin for advising couples to name their children with “Tamil names” to avoid Hindi imposition in the south Indian state, ANI reported.

Reacting to Stalin’s remark, Murugan on October 23 accused the ruling political party — Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK), of “discrimination”, the report added. The union minister also questioned: “is Udhayanidhi Stalin a Tamil name?” telling the deputy CM to follow his advice in their own family first.

Row Over ‘Tamil Names’ Remark

“Is Udhayanidhi Stalin a Tamil name? First, they should keep Tamil names in their family. No one is imposing Hindi in Tamil Nadu…Those who are willing to study the Hindi language can study. Why you are objecting?” Murugan said.

He added, “The DMK means discrimination…They speak about social justice but they won’t follow it. Prime Minister (Narendra) Modi is taking the Tamil language across the world…Tamil Nadu CM MK Stalin is trying to mislead the people…He should not do politics in the name of language…”

‘Statement Falsely Distorted’

On October 22, Deputy CM Stalin stated that his statements were “falsely distorted”.

“I also mentioned the principles given by Periyar, Perarignar Anna, and our leader Kalaignar. But my statements were distorted falsely and I have now been sued in several courts in India, not only in Tamil Nadu. They asked me to apologize in court, but I refused. I have stated, ‘What I said is said. I am Kalaignar’s grandson, and I will not apologize for anything. Now, I am facing the charges. Our Dravidian model government is a shining example for other states…” he clarified.

Why The Controversy?

The controversy erupted after Udhayanidhi Stalin said that the couples should come up with Tamil names for their children so as to avoid Hindi imposition in the state.

“I request the newlyweds to come up with a beautiful Tamil name for their child. Because many are attempting to impose Hindi in Tamil Nadu. They couldn’t do it directly. That’s why they are omitting a few words from the Tamil Thaai Vaazthu (State song). They are trying to impose Hindi via the new education policy. But they are all failing. Already someone tried to change the name of the state from Tamil Nadu. But because all across the State raised objections, he apologised. Now some are talking about omitting the word ‘Dravidam’ from Tamil Thaai Vaazthu,” Udhayanidhi Stalin said. 

“Until the last cadre of DMK is alive, until the last Tamilan is alive, none can even touch Tamil, Tamil Nadu and Dravidam. Tamil Nadu will never accept Hindi imposition…” he added.