Bengaluru: N. Ravikumar, BJP State General Secretary and Legislative Council Member, has issued a stern warning of a substantial protest scheduled for October 3. This protest is contingent upon the expeditious response to his demand for the suspension of government officials in Kolar district. Ravikumar has specifically called for the removal of DCF Yechukondala and Superintendent of Police Narayan, both accused of wrongfully detaining farmers in Kolar district.
During a press interaction on Thursday, Ravikumar expressed strong criticism of the present Congress government, alleging that it was acting in an authoritarian manner and neglecting the pressing issue of water scarcity. Instead, he asserted that the government’s intention to establish a thousand liquor shops had earned it the label of a “drunken government.” Ravikumar also argued that the government was making efforts to sow discord among farmers in Kolar district.
Bringing attention to the challenges faced by farmers, Ravikumar pointed out that in Srinivaspur taluk, thousands of acres are devoted to the cultivation of mangoes, silk, tomatoes, coconuts, and various vegetables. He expressed shock at the destruction of approximately a thousand acres of crops, including mango trees aged 30-40 years. The BJP leader placed direct responsibility on Chief Minister Siddaramaiah’s administration, attributing this damage to their unfavorable stance towards farmers.
Amid the ongoing dispute, Ravikumar alleged that DFO Yechukondala had acted in a hostile manner, employing a JCB to uproot vegetable and mango crops and even planting forest saplings overnight. Consequently, long-standing RTC (Record of Rights, Tenancy, and Crops) holders of 30-40 years were displaced. Ravikumar voiced his disapproval of the government’s protective stance toward the DFO while farmers endured hardships. He asserted that several farmers had been detained for opposing this injustice.
Ravikumar narrated a recent occurrence in which BJP MP Muniswamy was ejected from a Janata Darshan event for voicing concerns about the plight of farmers. He claimed that this incident took place in the presence of ministers and MLAs. Ravikumar asserted that the SP’s involvement in forcibly escorting the MPs out was unwarranted. He called for the immediate suspension of SP Narayan and raised questions about the propriety of resorting to such force against Members of Parliament.
Ravikumar condemned the government’s inability to furnish precise information regarding the Cauvery water matter to both relevant authorities and the Supreme Court. This, he emphasized, is occurring amidst water scarcity in Karnataka and the Cauvery basin. In conclusion, he firmly stated that the actions of the Congress have been unjust to the farmers of the state.
MP Muniswamy from Kolar and Chalavadi Narayanaswamy, the State President of SC Morcha and a Legislative Council Member, were in attendance.
