Big B hits back at Maya, says can donate land to anyone

Amitabh Bachchan has asserted his right to donate his land in UP to Barabanki Gram Sabha, in a rebuttal of Chief Minister Mayawati8217;s remark that questioned his ownership of the farm land.

Amitabh Bachchan has asserted his right to donate his land in UP to Barabanki Gram Sabha, in a rebuttal of Chief Minister Mayawati8217;s remark that questioned his ownership of the farm land.

In a written response to Mayawati8217;s reported remarks in which she dismissed Amitabh Bachchan8217;s right to donate the land, Bachchan said: 8220;This is my land and I shall do what I want to do with it.8221; He cited the Lucknow High Court8217;s judgment staying a local court8217;s ruling on the dispute.

Mayawati had earlier said: 8220;When he is not the owner of the land in Barabanki, how can he donate it?8221;

The letter, however, emphasised that 8220;at the time of my donation the said land was in my possession and I have voluntarily and with good intent donated the land to Gram Sabha, Barabanki8221;.

The statement also states Bachchan8217;s factual position on the ownership. 8220;As of date the Barabanki land in UP, which is under controversy, is still in my possession. An order of the Addl Commissioner of UP negating this claim has been stayed by the8230;High Court8230; the June 8, 2007.8221;

The High Court had criticised Faizabad8217;s divisional commissioner for negating Bachchan8217;s ownership of the disputed land. 8220;Until further order of this court, the operation of the impugned order dated 1/6/2007 passed by the Addl Commissioner Administration Faizabad Division, Faizabad shall remain stayed and parties shall maintain status quo relating to land in question,8221; the High Court said while staying the earlier decision.

8220;Since the matter has been stayed, I wish to state that the certificate of District Magistrate, Barabanki given to me in March 2006 is valid and remains the only valid document in the eyes of law till the pendency of dispute between the parties,8221; Bachchan said in his letter.

Story continues below this ad

He also said that whatever the dispute, it lies between the Gram Sabha and himself and the state government has no role in it.

Bachchan said that the Gram Sabha has accepted his donation made earlier this month and requested him to maintain a relationship with the village. He said he has now decided to buy another piece of land nearby and build a school there for the villagers.