Haveri (Shiggaon): Union Minister Pralhad Joshi on Monday said Waqf property should not belong to any individual, asserting that the protection of these properties will be a key focus in the BJP’s election agenda in the near future.
Addressing the press here, Joshi urged Congress leaders to examine the BJP’s manifesto closely, underscoring that while it supports the protection of original Waqf properties, it does not endorse any encroachments.
Joshi noted that Waqf properties, valued at Rs 2.3 lakh crore, have faced alleged exploitation by Congress party’s Muslim leaders. He stated that Waqf regulations and purposes are widely recognised, and the BJP supports them, provided the properties donated by both Muslims and some Hindus remain safeguarded.
He also highlighted that additional Waqf properties would be reclaimed, and the original assets should be used for their intended purposes.
Refuting Chief Minister Siddaramaiah’s claims, Joshi clarified that the BJP’s manifesto contains no provision for holding localised courts or intimidating officials to register properties as Waqf land. He criticised the Chief Minister, accusing him of “repeating lies” in an attempt to sway public perception.
“Chief Minister Siddaramaiah has a habit of repeating the same lie until it appears true,” Joshi remarked, intensifying the ongoing debate surrounding the regulation and protection of Waqf properties in Karnataka. UNI
