Moodbidri: Hundreds of farmers took to the streets on Saturday in Moodbidri, protesting against Sterlite Power Company for allegedly destroying farmlands and using police force against local cultivators during the construction of the Udupi–Kasargod 440 kV power line project.
Farmers gathered near the Ashwathapura Sitarama Temple, shouting slogans condemning the company’s actions, before marching to the farm of Bhaskar Shetty in Ontimar, where crops were reportedly damaged by project work. A public meeting followed at Shetty’s residence, where speakers denounced the company’s alleged misconduct and demanded immediate government intervention.
Swamiji slams “anti-farmer” corporate projects
Addressing the protesters, Sri Esha Vittaldas Swamiji of Kemar Sandeepani Math accused corporate entities of pursuing “anti-people and anti-farmer” projects in the undivided Dakshina Kannada–Udupi region.
He said, “To silence the voices of protest, companies attempt to lure local leaders with money or land. But these struggles will not cease. Governments treat Dakshina Kannada as a dumping ground for unnecessary industries, disturbing the peace of its people.”
The seer further remarked, “When agriculture thrives, humanity and all life forms thrive. But if farming perishes, everything connected to humanity will perish. Looting has taken precedence over knowledge, and farmers are being wronged in the name of development.”
Farmers demand project relocation
Later, Ananta Asranna, hereditary priest of Kateel Durgaparameshwari Temple, and several local leaders addressed the gathering, urging farmers to stay united in their resistance.
Farmer leader Narayana Swami declared, “A single farmer’s problem is the problem of all farmers. We must unite and fight together. The government is taking land without consent, destroying crops for corporate gain. We will not allow even an inch of farmland to be taken for this project.”
He questioned the legality of the company’s actions, saying, “Who has given Sterlite Power permission to trespass into farmlands and destroy standing crops? If farmers stop cultivating, what will people eat?”
Strong regional participation
The protest witnessed participation from state and local farmer leaders, including Sucharita Shetty, Krishna Prasad Tantri, Shalini (Gram Panchayat President), Praveen Bhandari, Vasanth Bhat, Raviraj, Suresh Shetty Dota, Balakrishna Devadiga, Bhaskar Shetty, Alphonse Niddodi, Inna Chandrahass Shetty, Honnappa Gowda, Krishnamurthy, Jacin Pinto, Sudesh Devadiga, and Harish Ullal.
The protesters demanded that the Udupi–Kasargod power line be realigned away from agricultural land and that the damages to farmers’ crops be compensated. They also warned of intensified protests if the government and the company fail to respond to their concerns.