Hyderabad: CPI senior leader and former MP Syed Aziz Pasha made a Bhoodan land reclamation demand and urged Chief Minister A. Revanth Reddy to immediately constitute a Bhoodan Yagna Board.
He called on the government to reclaim and distribute thousands of acres of pending Bhoodan land to landless and homeless poor. He said protecting Bhoodan lands remained the sole responsibility of the state.
Pasha addressed a dharna organised by the Telangana Sarvodaya Mandali at Dharna Chowk near Indira Park on Saturday. He highlighted the urgency of safeguarding land meant for the poor.
Recalling the Bhoodan movement led by Acharya Vinoba Bhave, he said about 1.79 lakh acres were collected from landlords in the erstwhile Hyderabad State. While some land was distributed, he said over one lakh acres remained pending.
He alleged large-scale encroachments, fraudulent sales and illegal occupation of these lands. Therefore, he demanded strict action against encroachers and immediate redistribution.
Bhoodan land reclamation demand highlights alleged irregularities
Pasha said the Bhoodan land reclamation demand aimed to restore land rights for the poor. He stressed that both rural and urban beneficiaries must receive land without delay.
Presiding over the protest, Mandali State President R. Shankar Nayak alleged that former Bhoodan Yagna Board Chairman Rajender Reddy was involved in fraudulent land sales using forged documents.
He called for stringent legal action against those responsible. He also demanded a detailed probe into the alleged irregularities.
Bhoodan land reclamation demand seeks probe and redistribution
Shankar Nayak alleged that due to government apathy, large tracts of Bhoodan land in Ranga Reddy district were converted into real estate ventures, industries and institutions.
He demanded an inquiry by the Enforcement Directorate into the issue. He also urged authorities to reclaim encroached lands and distribute them along with remaining Bhoodan lands.
In addition, he sought the formation of a Bhoodan Yagna Board in line with recommendations of the All India Sarva Seva Sangh.
Leaders from several organisations and political groups participated in the protest. They called for immediate restoration and fair distribution of Bhoodan lands.
Among those present were Telangana Sarvodaya Mandal General Secretary Y. Giri Prasad, Organising Secretary Khader Beg, leaders S. Yadamma, Raghupathi and Shaheen Begum, Ambedkar Sangham State President Lalayya, Tribal Associations JAC leader Jarpula Shiva Naik, Socialist Party of India (United) leaders B. Purushottam and R. Jhansi, Jai Swaraj Party President Kasani Srinivas Goud, MCPI leader Tukaram Naik and Workers Party President Panduranga Chari.