Rights, resistance and a new roadmap

The Karnataka government’s decision to withdraw the notification for the acquisition of 1,777 acres of land in Channarayapatna hobli of Devanahalli taluk marks a rare and commendable moment in the history of land struggles in the country. This is not just a policy reversal; it is a tribute to the unity, resilience, and vision of the farmers who fought relentlessly for 1,198 days. Their struggle was not for higher compensation, as is often the case, but to preserve their land, livelihood, and way of life. This struggle was driven not merely by economics, but by a deep sense of identity. The previous BJP government had notified the land for the proposed high-tech Defence and Aerospace Park under the KIADB. But for the people of these 13 villages, the land was more than just soil; it was sustenance, employment, and tradition. They had witnessed how land acquisition for the Kempegowda International Airport displaced neighbouring farmers. Determined not to suffer a similar fate, the landowners, under the aegis of the Samyukta Horata Karnataka and Land Acquisition Resistance Struggle Committee, launched one of the longest and most steadfast farmer-led movements in the state.

Their struggle remained peaceful but resolute, from hunger strikes to sit-ins to petitioning elected representatives. Artists, activists, writers, and progressive thinkers lent their voice, turning the movement into a broad-based people’s campaign. The solidarity and discipline on display are proof of what a united struggle can achieve. This episode offers important lessons: Why must every major development project begin by destroying fertile farmland? These villagers grow a wide range of crops, rear livestock, and have invested substantial savings in modern agricultural practices. At a time when food security is a growing concern and climate uncertainties loom large, protecting such agricultural ecosystems should be a national priority. This withdrawal presents a golden opportunity to shift such parks to less fertile, arid zones where agriculture is not feasible, thereby achieving a balance between industrial viability and agricultural sustainability.

The Siddaramaiah-led Congress government must be complimented for keeping its electoral promise to withdraw the notification and respecting the voice of the people. Hopefully, this will pave the way for a more balanced and inclusive development in the future, one that underlines that economic development need not come at the cost of livelihood. Agriculture and industry are not mutually exclusive; they must grow hand in hand. This episode is a powerful reminder that when communities unite, the government will be compelled to listen. While this is no doubt a victory for the farmers, it is a bigger win for growth that serves all sections of society and secures our collective future.