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Karnataka Today newsletter: Noisy start to winter session as Waqf row triggers heated exchange of words, and more

The winter session of the Karnataka legislature got off to a noisy start in Belagavi on December 9, 2024, with the Waqf row triggering heated exchange of words between the ruling and the Opposition members in the Assembly within hours of commencement.

As Speaker U.T. Khader began briefing the House about unveiling of a painting of Anubhava Mantapa, conceptualised by 12th century social reformer Basavanna, in Suvarna Vidhana Soudha, Leader of the Opposition R. Ashok remarked that while the government is claiming to follow the ideology of Basavanna, in reality the temples built in his name were being “taken away by the Waqf Board.”

Meanwhile, Revenue Minister Krishna Byre Gowda intervened and alleged that several of the notices issued by the Waqf Board, to reclaim its land encroached upon by various people and institutions, were actually issued by the erstwhile BJP regime. “You are being heroic now. But where were you when your own government issued such notices?” the Minister taunted the BJP MLAs.

CM Siddaramaiah kicked off Day 1 of the Winter Session of the Karnataka Legislature by unveiling a logo to mark the centenary of the 1924 Belgaum session of the Congress presided by Mahatma Gandhi, at Suvarna Soudha in Belagavi on December 9, 2024. A celebration committee will organise programmes throughout the coming year under the banner “Gandhi Bharata”.

Mr. Siddaramaiah also unveiled a large oil painting of the Anubhava Mantapa, the country’s first Parliament and a 12th century spiritual centre. The 200 sqft image depicts Saint Allama Prabhu, chairman of the mantap, Sri Basaveshwara, Akka Mahadevi, Madara Channayya, Ambigara Choudaiah, Siddarameshwara and Madiwala Machideva and other major Sharanas.

The winter session of the Karnataka legislature is bound to witness intense political developments both inside and outside the Suvarna Soudha over the next two weeks. Apart from charged face-offs between the the ruling Congress and the Opposition over the MUDA case, Waqf land row, maternal deaths in Ballari, D’Cunha commission report, Belagavi is also bracing itself for a series of protests by as many as 64 organisations.

The session will also be keenly watched for key pieces of legislation that will come up for dicussion. According to Speaker U.T. Khader the Assembly Secretariat had received 3,004 questions, 205 call attention motions, and discussions under rules 96 and 351. Requests for three private member Bills too had been received. Here is a list of four important Bills expected to be tabled.