SWIFT City project row | Inspired by Devanahalli stir, Sarjapur farmers stage bike rally to Freedom Park

Bengaluru: Farmers from Sarjapur Hobli in Anekal Taluk carried out a bike rally from Bayalu Basavanna Temple in Kommaghatta to Freedom Park, Gandhi Nagar, in protest against the Karnataka Industrial Areas Development Board (KIADB) on Friday.

Over 500 farmers gathered at the location in opposition to the SWIFT City project — the state government's ambitious project to support startups. Many farmers from villages in Sarjapur Hobli received notices from the KIADB in January stating their lands will be required for industrial purposes.

About 1,900 acres of land have been earmarked for the development project, according to farmers from the locality.

Ramachandra Reddy, a silk farmer from Handenahalli in his 60s, received a similar notice from the KIADB six months back. While he and his wife had lost hope, the grit of the Devanahalli protestors had reinstilled confidence in them, he said.

"Why are they after such fertile land? To us farmers, this land is like our mother. It feeds out families. There are many other localities in Bengaluru where this project can come up. We will never let it come up in Sarjapur. We will protest till the day we die," he told DH.

The farmers believe their land is being falsely portrayed as dry land. "We have more than enough groundwater. Even at 300 ft, there is water. It has helped sustain multiple generations in the past, and our future generations, too, will thrive here," said Keshava, a ragi-farmer from Thigala Chowdadenahalli.

The farmers pledged not to negotiate with the government in this regard.

"We have hailed Siddaramaiah, as he has done plenty of good, especially for women. From the Shakti scheme to the Bhagyalakshmi scheme. But coming after the livelihood of farmers is not right. Once agricultural land is gone, it cannot be brought back. Our future generations will suffer because of these decisions. The government will have to bring out a free oxygen scheme in the future," said Sowmya, who is fighting to save her family's land.

Speaking at the event, INC politician R K Ramesh threatened the government to shift the SWIFT city project out of Sarjapur or face further retaliation. MLC Gopinath Reddy was also present at the protest.