Farmers from Hedadahalli and Gokare Bachahalli villages in Channarayapatna Hobli, Devanahalli Taluk, staged a fierce protest on Thursday outside the residence of Minister K.H. Muniyappa, opposing the Karnataka Industrial Area Development Board’s (KIADB) move to acquire fertile agricultural land for industrial development.
The protest, which marks an escalation in their ongoing struggle, follows a 949-day-long sit-in protest in front of the Nadakacheri office in Channarayapatna. Despite this prolonged demonstration, the land acquisition process has not been halted, and notices have once again been served to farmers in these two villages, sparking fresh unrest. The protesting farmers displayed placards that read “Save Our Land,” calling for the land to remain in their hands for agricultural purposes.
The KIADB’s decision to acquire agricultural land for industrial purposes has been a contentious issue in the region for several years. Initially, the Karnataka government, under the previous BJP-led administration, sought to acquire 1,779 acres of land from 13 villages in the region for industrial development. However, the proposal met with strong resistance from farmers, which led to the temporary suspension of the acquisition process.
In a turn of events, during the 2023 state Assembly elections, both Minister K.H. Muniyappa and Chief Minister Siddaramaiah had publicly promised that the Congress government would not allow the acquisition of agricultural land for industrial purposes. These assurances, however, have come under scrutiny as the KIADB resumed the land acquisition process and issued fresh notices to farmers in Hedadahalli and Gokare Bachahalli.
The protestors vehemently criticised the state government for breaking its promises. They pointed out that both K.H. Muniyappa and Siddaramaiah had assured them during the election campaign that no agricultural land would be taken away for industrial development. The farmers argue that fertile agricultural land cannot be sacrificed for industrial growth, as it would harm their livelihoods and displace them from their ancestral lands.
“We fought against this land acquisition when it was first proposed during the BJP government, and they stopped it. Now, despite promises from the Congress government, notices are once again being issued to take away our land. We will not let that happen,” one of the protestors stated.
The protests have put Minister K.H. Muniyappa, who represents Devanahalli, in a difficult position. As the farmers are accusing the Congress government of betraying their trust, this issue threatens to become a political flashpoint in the region. Devanahalli is an important area for the state’s industrial and agricultural sectors, and the ongoing protests could have significant implications for the local political landscape.
The farmers also expressed their disappointment with the government’s handling of the matter. “We have been sitting here for over two and a half years, fighting for our land, and the government has not listened to us. Instead of resolving the issue, they are trying to force us out of our land,” another protestor said.
As the protests continue, the farmers have vowed to intensify their agitation if their demands are not met. They have called for a mass mobilisation in the coming weeks, which could further strain relations between the farmers and the state government. Additionally, the involvement of local political leaders and the mounting pressure from constituents could push the government to reconsider its stance on the land acquisition.
While the government has not yet responded officially to the renewed protests, the farmers are determined to keep the issue alive, citing the significant impact it would have on their agricultural practices and way of life.
The ongoing conflict over land acquisition highlights the delicate balance between industrial growth and agricultural preservation in Karnataka, a state where both sectors are crucial to the economy and local communities.