Bengaluru (PTI): Leader of Opposition in the Karnataka Legislative Assembly R Ashoka has urged Union Home Minister Amit Shah and Joint Parliamentary Committee Chairperson on Waqf (Amendment) Bill 2024 Jagadambika Pal to instruct the State's Chief Secretary to immediately stop all land registrations to Waqf Board until the proceedings of the JPC are complete.

In a letter addressed to them, the senior BJP leader claimed that "hasty attempts" are being made to register lands claimed by the Waqf Board perhaps in anticipation of the amendment that the JPC could bring to the Waqf Act.

"As part of this pre-emptive attempt, the state government and Waqf board have reportedly begun altering revenue records, transferring ownership of farmers' lands to the Waqf. This hurried whitewashing and registering of unjust claims of land to Waqf Boards will deprive thousands of farmers and poor people of Karnataka of their just and ancestral property rights," Ashoka said.

According to him, the issue came to light after notices were served to hundreds of farmers claiming about 15,000 acres of land in Vijayapura district; it is alleged that across each district of Karnataka, approximately 10,000 acres of land are reportedly being claimed by the Waqf Board in this "clandestine manner."

"Additionally, the Waqf board is also claiming lands belonging to temples, mutts and other religious organisations. It is shocking that even graveyards belonging to Hindu community are being claimed as Waqf properties. The 13th century Virakta Mutt's 1.28 acres land in Sindagi, the historical Someshwara temple in Vijayapura, the Beeradevara temple in Kalaburagi and several other temples across Karnataka are reportedly being claimed by the Waqf board," he alleged.

Ashoka, a former Deputy Chief Minister, also claimed that these hasty attempts to register properties claimed by Waqf board has created insecurity and panic among people and has erupted in violence in Haveri district.

"In the light of these incidents, I urge you to instruct the Chief Secretary of Government of Karnataka to immediately stop all land registrations to Waqf Board until the proceedings of the JPC are complete," he added in the letter.

 

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Visakhapatnam (PTI): Shafali Verma hit a blistering unbeaten 69 as India made short work of a paltry target to outclass Sri Lanka by seven wickets in the second Women’s T20 International here on Tuesday.

India now lead the five-match series 2-0 after another one-sided victory, having restricted Sri Lanka to a modest 128 for 9 through a collective display of disciplined bowling from the spin trio of seasoned Sneh Rana, ably complemented by young spinners Vaishnavi Sharma and Shree Charani.

During the chase, vice-captain Smriti Mandhana (14) fell cheaply but Shafali, enjoying new found confidence after a stellar show in the World Cup final, sent the bowlers on a leather-hunt during her 34-ball knock, winning it for her team in just 11.5 overs.

The hosts have now completed back-to-back successful chases within 15 overs which speaks volumes about the unit's sky-high confidence.

Shafali's innings had 11 punchy boundaries apart from a maximum.

The floodgates opened when left-arm spinner Inoka Ranaweera bowled a few flighted deliveries and Shafali would step out everytime to hit her over extra cover. Her footwork against slow bowlers was immaculate whether stepping out to loft the ball or rocking back to punch or pull.

Seeing her confidence, the newly appointed Delhi Capitals skipper Jemimah Rodrigues (26 off 15 balls) also attacked as the duo added 58 runs in just 4.3 overs.

By the time Rodrigues was out trying to hit one six too many, the match as a contest was over. Shafali completed her half-century off just 27 balls and completed the formalities in a jiffy.

Earlier, off-spinner Rana, who got a look-in after Deepti Sharma was ruled out due to fever, showed her utility keeping the Lankan batters under tight leash with figures of 1 for 11 in 4 overs, including a maiden which certainly is a rarity in T20 cricket.

Charani, who made an impression during India's ODI World Cup triumph, took 2 for 23 in her quota of overs, while Vaishnavi after an impressive debut in the opening encounter, finished with 2 for 32, not letting the Islanders get easy runs in her second spell.

The last six wickets fell for just 24 runs, but what stood out during India’s bowling effort was their superb ground fielding. After a patchy show in the previous game, the improved sharpness in the field resulted in three run-outs.

Sri Lankan skipper Chamari Athapaththu (31 off 24 balls) looked in good nick as she deposited length deliveries from seamers Kranti Gaud and Arundhati Reddy over the ropes but it was Rana, who kept her quiet by repeatedly pitching on good length.

Unable to manoeuvre the strike and with the big hits suddenly drying up, Athapaththu chanced her arm at another delivery in which Rana had shortened the length slightly.

Not having transferred the weight into the lofted shot, Athapaththu's hoick was pouched cleanly by Amanjot Kaur at long-off.

This was after Athapaththu's opening partner Vishmi Gunaratne (1) had offered a simple return catch to Gaud.

Hasini Perera (22 off 28 balls) and Harshitha Samarawickrama (33 off 32 balls) did stitch a stand of 44 but they could never set the tempo against the Indian spin troika.

Once Hasini offered a tame return catch off a Charani full-toss, Sri Lankans never recovered and lost wickets in a heap towards the end.