Hyderabad: BJP MP Eatala Rajender has raised concerns over the alleged use of force by government officials to take over 410 acres of assigned land in Dundigal Village, Qutbullapur constituency. A total of over 1,000 acres, including this land, has become a point of conflict between the government, the Telangana Waqf Board, and local farmers.
The dispute involves Lavani Patta holders, who own around 450 acres in survey numbers 453 and 454. These farmers are accusing the government of attempting to seize their land without offering any compensation. They also claim that officials and the police are using coercive tactics to suppress their protests.
Eatala Rajender, who supports the farmers, pointed out that part of this land had already been used for constructing double-bedroom houses during the previous BRS regime. Now, the Congress government is allegedly trying to take the remaining 410 acres without compensating the landowners.
The MP also recalled that under the previous Congress government, 60-yard plots, known as Indiramma Pattas, were given to 600 people. Revanth Reddy, the current Chief Minister, had promised during the 2019 elections that the land would be returned to the original assignees. However, according to Rajender, the government is now trying to seize the land.
Rajender further emphasized that these farmers have been cultivating the land for 40 years. He criticized the government for treating the land as if it were their personal property, questioning, “Is it their jagir?” He also highlighted that a similar issue occurred under the KCR government, which resulted in the defeat of the BRS.
The MP mentioned that previous governments had taken assigned lands for projects like ring road construction without offering any compensation. He recalled how they had fought for fair compensation with former Chief Minister YS Rajasekhara Reddy.
Rajender stressed that if the government truly needs the land, it should compensate the landowners fairly. He criticized the government for behaving like a “real estate broker” and warned that using the police to threaten people is not acceptable. He noted that in other states like Tamil Nadu and Uttar Pradesh, farmers receive full ownership of assigned lands after 15 years, but this has not happened in Telangana under KCR’s rule.
The MP vowed to continue supporting the farmers in their fight. He stated, “None has the right to harass the poor,” and warned that they would take the issue to court if necessary. He also demanded that the government resume control of any assigned lands that had been sold to others.
In a related development, the Telangana Waqf Board recently issued a notification claiming ownership of over 750 acres in the district. This move has sparked controversy, with Dr. Ravinuthala Sashidar, national spokesperson for the Viswa Hindu Parishad, questioning the board’s sudden decision. He also criticized a similar claim made on 1,500 acres of land in Karnataka’s Vijayapura district.
Sashidar accused the Waqf Board of attempting to take over farmers’ lands ahead of potential amendments to the Waqf Board Act by the central government. He called the move “illegal” and driven by “vote bank politics,” promising to support legal battles against what he described as an injustice to the farmers.
