“Everyone owning land in Karnataka should have ownership rights,” Gandhi emphasized during a public gathering in Karnataka’s Vijaynagara.
He pointed out the considerable number of individuals across communities in Karnataka who reside on land without legal titles, which prevents them from accessing government benefits and legal recognition, according to ANI.
The Karnataka government has officially allocated more than 1.11 lakh title deeds to qualified individuals. These recipients lived in areas previously designated as “undocumented habitations,” which have now been recognized as revenue villages by the state, as reported by PTI.
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Made 5 promises, fulfilled 6: Rahul Gandhi
“I am pleased to announce that today we have accomplished our sixth guarantee. Over one lakh families are receiving title deeds from the Karnataka government. This is a significant step in realizing the vision of former PM Indira Gandhi,” Gandhi stated.
He mentioned that around 2,000 habitations have already been acknowledged as revenue villages and advocated for the inclusion of an additional 500. He also highlighted the importance of establishing a digital land registry to enhance transparency and accessibility.
5 pre-election guarantees of Karnataka Congress
During the event, Rahul Gandhi reiterated the Congress government’s five pre-election promises, which are as follows:
- 200 units of free electricity under the Gruha Jyoti scheme
- ₹2,000 monthly aid to women heads of families under the Gruha Lakshmi scheme
- 10 kg of grains per person through the Anna Bhagya Programme
- Free bus travel for women under Shakti Yojana
- Under the Yuva Nidhi scheme for the unemployed, ₹3,000 per month to graduates, and ₹1,500 to diploma holders
Gandhi also criticized the previous BJP government in the state, asserting that the BJP’s economic model caters only to the affluent. “The BJP intends for a select few to monopolize wealth in India, whereas we aim to redirect resources to the poor, backward classes, dalits, and adivasis directly,” Gandhi remarked, as reported by PTI.
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What is the significance of property rights?
Property rights pertain to the legal ownership of land or property, providing individuals with the authority to use, sell, or inherit it. In the absence of these rights, families who have resided on land for generations can be denied crucial services, formal housing loans, and legal protections.
The Supreme Court classified the right to property as a “constitutional right” in its January 2025 ruling, which overturned a Karnataka High Court decision related to land acquisition for the Bengaluru-Mysuru Infrastructure Corridor Project (BMICP), according to the Deccan Herald.
“Although the right to property is no longer considered a fundamental right, it remains a constitutional right per Article 300-A of the Constitution of India,” stated the panel of justices B R Gavai and K V Viswanathan.
Article 300-A of the Constitution affirms that no individual shall be deprived of their property, except through lawful authority. In Karnataka, government entities had reportedly been acquiring land for development initiatives without proper compensation to the owners.
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“A person cannot be deprived of their property without receiving adequate compensation in accordance with law,” the bench affirmed, providing relief to property owners.
BJP claims Congress welfare claims “hollow”
BJP spokesperson Pradeep Bhandari, in response, criticized Gandhi’s comments, labeling Congress’ economic strategy as “khata-khat economics,” asserting it is failing Karnataka.
“False promises, hollow claims – a characteristic of the Congress model. Just noise, no delivery!” Bhandari stated on X (formerly Twitter), further questioning the government’s decision to commemorate its anniversary during severe rainfall in Bengaluru, which resulted in five fatalities.
