A shocking incident has surfaced in Saligrama town, Mysuru district. Locals say that “a portion of a government school building was allegedly demolished by Islamists using a JCB and tractor to create a road.”

They insist that the destroyed section was part of the school campus, and contend that “around five acres of the institution’s land are being encroached upon.” According to them, the area is being turned into private use, with “construction of sheds and parking spaces” taking place “without obtaining any official approval.”

A video currently doing rounds on social media captures residents confronting certain individuals believed to be behind the demolition and land takeover. When pressed about whether they had legal permission, those in the video “reportedly admitted they had no authorization.” The public reaction has been one of shock and anger, with citizens demanding immediate government intervention and action against those responsible.

A significant portion of the anger is directed at the state machinery. Locals accuse officials of “turning a blind eye to illegal encroachments,” and many are calling on Chief Minister Siddaramaiah to assume responsibility and push for strict legal measures against all those involved.

At present, no mainstream media outlet or official police report has verified all the details of the case. Citizens have loudly voiced their demand for “transparency and accountability in the investigation to prevent misuse of public property.”

What unfolded in Saligrama is not an isolated case. It is part of a worrying trend seen across Karnataka. In 2020, a similar land-takeover came to light in Kadugodi Plantation near Bidarahalli, where an Islamic madrasa was alleged to have encroached upon forest land. Despite strong public outcry, “the administration remained a mute spectator.” Over the years, Waqf authorities have increasingly claimed public and community properties, often “without any legal basis.” Many citizens see this as a coordinated effort to shift land ownership, erode the integrity of public institutions, and change community balance.

This creeping takeover is often referred to as “Land Jihad,” revealing the advance of control over public lands “one plot, one property at a time.” Under this concept, each encroachment may appear small or isolated, but over time they add up and change the map of public ownership. What authority do any group or institution have to seize government or forest land? Why has the Siddaramaiah-led government chosen silence over accountability?

The Karnataka government, under Chief Minister Siddaramaiah and Congress leadership, cannot afford to remain silent while public property is seized illegally in the name of appeasement. A government school is meant to serve every citizen, regardless of religion, and its land is held in trust for the public. What right does the administration have to stand by when such flagrant encroachments occur? Silence now is not mere neglect or lapse — it is a willful failure of governance and betrayal of public trust.

What is Land Jihad?

Land Jihad is a term used to describe the systematic and deliberate encroachment of public, government, or community-owned land by individuals or groups under the guise of religious or charitable activities. The process is not always overtly aggressive — instead, it unfolds quietly and persistently, targeting one property at a time. As described in public discourse, it reveals “the creeping takeover of public lands, one plot, one property at a time.”

The strategy behind this phenomenon typically involves taking control of unused or disputed public land — schools, playgrounds, government institutions, or forest areas — and converting them for private or religious purposes without legal sanction. Once an encroachment is established, it often becomes politically or socially difficult for the government to reverse it, especially when religious sentiments are invoked.

In many reported cases, structures such as madrassas, community halls, or religious institutions are built on government or communal land. Over time, these illegal occupations gradually expand into neighboring plots, turning public land into private zones. When local administrations hesitate to act, these encroachments gain permanence.

This form of land capture is not only a violation of law but also an assault on public welfare, as it deprives ordinary citizens of access to facilities like schools, parks, and public infrastructure. It also challenges the idea of secular governance by allowing religiously motivated land takeovers to go unchecked.

The Mysuru incident has reignited serious concerns about governance in Karnataka. Citizens are asking: What gives any Islamic group or institution the authority to seize government or forest property? Why has the Siddaramaiah-led government chosen silence over accountability?

A government school, by its very nature, is meant to serve children from every community, regardless of religion or background. Its land belongs to the public — not to any private group or religious entity. The state’s failure to safeguard such property, especially when the encroachment is openly acknowledged, is not mere negligence.