Noisy start to Karnataka winter session as Waqf row triggers heated exchange of words between ruling and opposition members in Assembly

Winter session of Karnataka legislature begins with heated debate on Waqf issue triggering chaos between ruling and Opposition members.

The winter session of the Karnataka legislature got off to a noisy start in Belagavi on Monday (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 Anubhaava Mantapa, conceptualised by the 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.”

Reminding the Speaker about the notice by the party seeking permission to take up a debate on the Waqf row under a censuring clause, he demanded that the debate be initiated immediately. The Speaker made it clear that as per norms, it could be taken up only after the Question Hour that was still pending.

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.

Medical Education Minister Sharan Prakash Patil, too, attacked the saffron party by alleging that the BJP and RSS were opposed to the ideology of Basavanna and that the latter does not even put up Basavanna’s photos in its offices.

Mr. Krishna Byregowda maintained that the BJP was actually not interested in any meaningful debate on Waqf issue, and instead only wanted to politicise it.

The Speaker clarified that the issue would be discussed at the Business Advisory Committee of the House.