Will bring law to prevent confiscation of farmers' property over delay in loan repayment: CM Bommai
Bengaluru, Nov 5: The Karnataka government will introduce a law to stop the confiscation or auction of farmers' property over any delay or non-payment of loan taken for agricultural purposes, Chief Minister Basavaraj Bommai said on Saturday.
Speaking at the concluding session of Krishi Mela and distribution of awards to farmers at the Gandhi Krishi Vignan Kendra (GKVK) campus here, he said in case of non-payment of agricultural loan, farmers must be given more time for repayment instead of confiscating or auctioning their property.
Necessary instructions have already been given to the Department of Cooperation and other departments. As a result the departments are responding to the plight of farmers, he said.
Noting that economic growth is fully dependent on the agricultural sector, Bommai said agricultural universities must take up research regarding agro-economics and give suggestions to the government.
These universities must work in tandem with the government and inform it regarding new research and methodology, the chief minister said.
Both Bengaluru and Dharwad Universities of Agricultural Sciences have been functioning for 58 years and helping farmers. One thousand acres of land has been reserved each in Dharwad and Bengaluru universities for natural farming, he said.
"The varsities have been asked to increase agriculture output with less capital investment and to grow crops without using chemical fertiliser," Bommai said.
The "Yashasvini" health insurance scheme has been re-launched since November 1, the chief minister told the gathering.
Bommai said the state government will launch more farmer-friendly programmes which included giving loan to 10 lakh additional farmers from the current academic year.
He appealed to farmers to think scientifically, try new varieties to increase productivity and take up comprehensive agriculture.
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PDP leader Iltija Mufti lodges police complaint against Nitish Kumar for pulling woman's 'naqab'
Srinagar (PTI): PDP leader Iltija Mufti on Friday lodged a police complaint seeking the registration of an FIR against Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar for recently pulling off the veil from a woman doctor’s face.
However, there was no word from the police on whether an FIR has been registered against the JD-U chief.
“I’m writing to bring to your attention a vile incident which has caused immense distress and hurt among Muslims, especially women. A few days ago, we watched with shock, horror and worry as Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar pulled down the ‘naqab’ of a young Muslim doctor in full public glare at a government function,” Mufti said in her complaint to the Kothibagh SHO.
She added that what made “matters worse was the unsettling reaction of the people around, including the deputy chief minister, who chuckled and watched with glee”.
“The forceful stripping of her ‘naqab’ wasn’t just a brutal assault on a Muslim lady but on the autonomy, identity and dignity of every Indian woman,” Mufti alleged.
ALSO READ: Doctor whose naqab was removed by Nitish Kumar will join duty in Bihar: Official
The incident, a video clip of which has been circulated widely, sparking a major political row, took place on Monday at the chief minister’s secretariat in Patna where Ayush doctors gathered to receive their letters of appointment.
When the woman came up for her letter, Kumar saw her 'naqab', said “what is this” and then removed the veil, prompting the opposition parties to demand an unconditional apology from the chief minister.
Mufti said it was more concerning that the incident took place amid the “deliberate othering and political and economic disempowerment of Muslims all across India”.
The complaint said in the days following the "shameful" incident, “we have witnessed with abject horror videos of miscreants pulling off the naqabs of Muslim women across India”.
“Perhaps a chief minister engaging in this vulgar act of indecency has now emboldened such lumpen elements, giving them carte blanche (complete freedom) to humiliate and attack Muslim women,” the PDP leader alleged in her complaint.
Mufti also said that as a young Muslim woman, she is “deeply worried” that so far, no concrete action has been taken in the matter to serve both as a deterrent and precedent.
“BJP ministers and the men in power are justifying Kumar's indecency. Au contraire (on the contrary), they are condoning and celebrating it. I am sure you will agree that the rule of law must be applied uniformly and unequivocally to every Indian citizen.
“Being a chief minister doesn't exonerate an individual just because he enjoys political power and patronage,” Mufti said, and urged police to immediately file an FIR against Kumar.
“We owe it to every Indian woman to protect her dignity. The choice to wear what she wants without fear, with her head held high,” she added.
Speaking to reporters, Mufti said rather than apologising for what the Bihar chief minister did, the BJP ministers are “giving vulgar statements”.
“Yesterday, Griraj Singh, a Union minister, said Muslims in India should go to hell. If you touch the veil of our women, please be ready for the consequences.
“There was a need to file an FIR as, instead of being apologetic, the BJP wants to justify what he did, which is extremely wrong and criminal,” she said.
The PDP leader also said it is up to the police now, “but we have to do our bit”.
Lashing out at J-K Chief Minister Omar Abdullah, Mufti said it is "most troubling" that Abdullah, who is the only Muslim chief minister in India, did not issue a statement against Kumar’s act for two days, and when he did, he justified Kumar's “indecent act”.
“Despite being a Muslim chief minister, he does not want to protect Muslim girls and women. So, I felt it was my duty as a young Muslim woman to come here today, express solidarity with this doctor, and also to make sure that the dignity and identity of not just Muslim women, but all women across India, are protected. We have the right to choose what we want to wear with our head held high,” Mufti said.
PDP's Iltija Mufti lodges police complaint against Bihar CM Nitish Kumar over 'hijab' incident
— ANI Digital (@ani_digital) December 19, 2025
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