BJP is trying to convert Vijayapura into a Hindutva laboratory, says Minister M.B. Patil

Minister M.B. Patil exposes BJP's divisive tactics in Vijayapura, highlighting their false anti-Hindu propaganda and political agenda.

“The BJP is trying to convert Vijayapura district into a Hindutva laboratory and divide people on the basis of religion. But its plans will not succeed as it is a land of communal harmony,” Minister M.B. Patil said in Vijayapura on Friday.

“The BJP is using the waqf issue to create rifts between communities and spread hatred. It will not succeed, as the people can see through the conspiracy,” he told reporters.

“The BJP is trying to portray Congress as an anti-Hindu party by saying that we are supporting Waqf Board in reclaiming its land. This is not true because the Waqf Board is a statutory body that regularly issues notices to remove encroachments from its land. During its tenure, the BJP has taken several pro-Waqf Board steps, including issuing notices and mutation of Record of Rights, Tenancy and Crops (RTCs),” he said.

Releasing a list of documents to support his claim, he said that the Congress will also release a booklet containing the BJP’s pro-Waqf Board activities.

The BJP, which has been in power at the Centre since 2014 and also in the and State intermittently, is very concerned about the protection of waqf properties. Its leaders and Ministers have made several statement and took steps towards that end. When the BJP was in power in the State, it allowed the Waqf Board to take back property of farmers, religious places and people from all religions, he said. “It is now conducting a false campaign propaganda against us in the State and national level,” he added.

He claimed that the BJP government mutated in favour of the Waqf Board land belonging to many farmers in 2023, citing examples.

The then Revenue Minister issued circulars in 2010, regarding updating of waqf documents. The Chief Secretary issued a circular in 2010 to remove all encroachments from waqf land by private individuals, government bodies and corporations. The Regional Commissioner of Kalaburagi issued orders in 2011 on protecting waqf property and regularization of records, the Minister pointed out, to show that clearing encroachments is an ongoing process.