Fri Nov 08 04:09:09 UTC 2024: ## BJP MP Tejasvi Surya Accused of Spreading False Information on Farmer Suicide, Faces FIR

**Haveri, Karnataka:** Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) MP Tejasvi Surya has been accused of spreading false information and has been booked by the Haveri Police in Karnataka. Surya had claimed that a farmer in the district, Rudrappa Channappa Balikai, committed suicide after his land was taken over by the Waqf board. However, the police have confirmed that the claim is false and the farmer’s suicide in 2022 was attributed to loan and crop loss.

The FIR was registered on Thursday based on a complaint filed by the Haveri police. Surya’s post on X (formerly Twitter) blaming Chief Minister Siddaramaiah and Minister BZ Zameer Ahmed Khan for the farmer’s death has been deleted. The BJP MP later acknowledged that the information was incorrect and stated he would not rely on the news agency that reported it.

The incident comes amid growing tensions over the Waqf land and properties row in Karnataka. Jagdambika Pal, Chairman of the Joint Parliamentary Committee on Waqf Amendment Bill, visited various districts in Karnataka, including Huballi and Vijayapura, to meet with farmers’ organizations and conduct a fact-finding mission, accompanied by Tejasvi Surya. Pal announced that a report would be submitted in the upcoming winter session of Parliament.

The BJP has accused the Karnataka government of illegally adding Waqf designations to land records without proper notification, citing instances in Vijayapura district. Chief Minister Siddaramaiah, however, has instructed officials to stop issuing notices to farmers and withdraw those already issued.

Read More