Kumara Chandrashekaranatha Swamiji, the seer of the Vishwa Vokkaliga Mahasamstana Math in Karnataka, has drawn widespread criticism for suggesting that Muslims should be stripped of their voting rights in India. He made these remarks during a protest organized by the Bharatiya Kisan Sangh, further urging the abolition of the Waqf Board, which he accused of wrongful land claims.
Swamiji alleged that India should adopt a law similar to Pakistan’s, claiming that non-Muslims there do not have voting power. “A law should be brought in where the Muslim community doesn’t have the voting power,” he said, arguing that this would ensure peace and unity in the country.
The remarks come amidst heated disputes over Waqf properties in Karnataka, particularly after farmers in Vijayapura district alleged their lands were incorrectly marked as Waqf properties. Protests from farmer groups and opposition parties have accused the Waqf Board of land grabbing.
Speaking at the protest, Swamiji defended farmers, stating, “Someone taking away someone else’s land is not Dharma. Farmers are our ‘Annadatas’ (food providers), and their land should remain with them.”
In response to the growing tensions, Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah recently revoked notices issued to farmers about Waqf properties. “I have directed officials to nullify any unauthorized changes to land records to address these concerns,” Siddaramaiah stated.
This story was originally published in theobserverpost.com.