An irate mob pelted stones at the homes of Muslim community leaders in Kadakola village, Savanur taluk, Haveri district, following a controversy related to Wakf land ownership. The unrest began after Karnataka Waqf Minister Zameer Ahmed Khan directed officials in early September to register Wakf properties under the Waqf account within the Kadakola gram panchayat.
On September 27, Zilla Panchayat CEO Akshay Sridhar issued further instructions, which reportedly stirred rumors and fears that personal properties would be taken over, leading to the stone-pelting incident.
One of the affected individuals, Muslim leader Rafi, suffered property damage, with stones damaging a bike parked outside his home. “People, misled by newspaper reports, feared that residential properties would be taken over by Waqf,” clarified Haveri Deputy Commissioner Vijay Mahantesh, who arrived at the scene with SP Amshukumar. Mahantesh assured that “No individual notices were issued; the letter merely instructed action based on a previous list.”
SP Amshukumar stated, “Fifteen individuals have been taken into custody. Four KSRP platoons and 200 police personnel have been deployed to maintain order, and a route march will be conducted in Kadakola.”
The situation remains tense but under control, with authorities addressing complaints from those affected by the violence.
