Residents, especially farmers of 13 villages in Jangamakote Hobli of Chikkaballapur's Sidlaghatta taluk, stage a protest in front of the Deputy Commissioner’s office in Chikkaballapur on Tuesday, opposing the government’s move to acquire fertile agricultural land for industrial use.
Credit: DH Photo
Residents of 13 villages in Jangamakote Hobli of Chikkaballapur's Sidlaghatta taluk launched an overnight protest in front of the Deputy Commissioner’s office in Chikkaballapur on Tuesday, opposing the government’s move to acquire fertile agricultural land for industrial use.
The protest led by the Raitha Sangha intensified ahead of the state cabinet meeting scheduled to be held at Nandi Hills on Wednesday (July 2).
Farmers arrived at the protest venue in tractors, raising slogans against the government and KIADB (Karnataka Industrial Area Development Board). Police guarded the entrance of the district administration building, preventing protesters from entering. Farmers gathered at the gate, declaring they would neither withdraw the protest nor give up on their lands.
‘Is it pro-ryot govt?’
Speaking on the occasion, Rajya Raitha Sangha state president Kodihalli Chandrashekhar, said: “All existing laws aim at reserving fertile farmland for food production. The law clearly states that non-farmers should not be allowed to purchase agricultural land. When Siddaramaiah was in the opposition, he promised to revoke this law. But now he’s silent.”
He criticised the government, alleging that over the past two years, Rs 25,000 crore has been generated for the state treasury through land conversions via sub-registrar offices, and the target is to increase this to Rs 35,000 crore in the upcoming budget.
“Is this a pro-farmer government?” he asked, demanding that the cabinet meeting at Nandi Hills must revoke the law enabling such acquisitions.
Kodihalli Chandrashekhar asserted that politicians are trying to divide farmers and set them against each other, but this won’t last. Whether farmland is near cities or on the outskirts, there must be a law banning its use for any non-agricultural purpose.
"2.5 lakh acres of land have been acquired across Karnataka between 2000 and 2025 in the name of industrialisation. Does the government have the courage to release a land audit report showing how much land has been used for actual industries and how much has gone to real estate?," he questioned.
Dalit movement leader said, “Is it wise to give everything that industrialists demand? What if they ask for Vidhana Soudha and court land in future? Will the government give that away? How farmers are expected to survive if their fertile land is taken away? It is not just about farmers, how will we produce food for the future?
The protesters pledged not to allow agricultural land in Jangamakote Hobli to be handed over to industries under any circumstances, and warned the government to give up its attempt to acquire it.
Farmers firm on meeting CM
Deputy Commissioner P N Ravindra visited the protest site and assured that the issue would be brought to the attention of the chief minister. However, the protestors insisted that they must be allowed to meet the CM in person and discuss the issue directly, and continued with the protest.
Raitha Sangha state working president Bhaktarhalli Bairegowda, district president Ramanath, former Sidlaghatta MLA M Rajanna, BJP District President Seekal Ramachandra Gowda, Dalit Sangharsha Samiti’s B N Gangadhar and N Murthy and others led the protest.