Mysuru: As part of a State-wide protest organised by the BJP against notices issued to farmers by the Karnataka State Waqf Board, district and city BJP units will lay siege to the Deputy Commissioner’s office and the Tahsildar’s office in city tomorrow (Nov. 4).

This was announced to the media by Dr. Anil Thomas, President of the BJP State Minorities Wing and L. Nagendra, City BJP President and former MLA, during a press conference held at the City BJP office this morning.

Dr. Anil Thomas stated that protests will be held at all taluk centres across the State, led by MLAs and former MLAs. The demonstrations will continue until justice is served, with many participants, including farmers who have received notices claiming their land belongs to the Waqf Board.

He criticised the State Government, led by Chief Minister Siddaramaiah, for failing to support the Joint Parliamentary Committee (JPC) formed by the Central Government to review the Waqf (Amendment) Bill 2024. Anil Thomas alleged that instead of protecting farmers’ rights, the Government is attempting to seize their land as part of minority appeasement.

The issue began when the Waqf Board issued notices to farmers in Vijayapura district and subsequently spread to Channapatna, Dharwad, Bidar, Nagamangala in Mandya district, and Koppal district.

Anil Thomas noted that although similar notices were issued during the BJP’s tenure, they did not come to the attention of the State Government or the relevant Minister. However, under the current Congress Government, Waqf Minister B.Z. Zameer Ahmed Khan has pressured officials to issue notices claiming agricultural lands as Waqf properties.

Former Mayor Sandesh Swamy, former Chairman of Mysore Paints and Varnish Limited (MPVL) N.V. Phaneesh, City BJP General Secretaries Giridhar and B.M. Raghu, leader Somasundar and Media Convener M.S. Mahesh Raje Urs were present.