BENGALURU: Farmers in Devanahalli are protesting against the Karnataka government’s plan to acquire 1,777 acres of fertile land. This land is crucial for over 800 farmers, many from Dalit and Adivasi communities. The National Alliance of People’s Movement (NAPM) has urged Chief Minister Siddaramaiah to cancel the land acquisition. The farmers have been protesting for seven days now, with a peaceful Bhoomi Satyagraha at Bengaluru’s Freedom Park. However, tensions rose during a protest on June 25, where demonstrators faced police lathicharge. The land acquisition was initiated for a proposed Hi-Tech Defence and Aerospace Park. A survey conducted by the Karnataka Industrial Area Development Board (KIADB) in 2022 revealed that over 80% of affected farmers oppose the takeover. They argue that it threatens their livelihoods and food security.
The farmers have expressed their resistance through various forms of protest, gathering support from notable figures like actor Prakash Raj and other farmer movements from different states. Activist Medha Patkar has also joined the call for the government to respect the Land Acquisition and Rehabilitation Act (LARR), 2013. She emphasized that industrial projects should not come at the cost of fertile farmland. “We are not against industrialization,” she stated. “But it should not be on land where generations of farmers have worked.”
On July 4, a meeting was held between the Chief Minister and farmer representatives, but it ended without a clear resolution. Farmers’ unions, including the Samyukt Kisan Morcha, asked Siddaramaiah to cancel the acquisition notification, but no decision was reached. The Chief Minister is expected to hold another meeting on July 15. He mentioned that the final notification cannot be easily withdrawn due to legal constraints outlined in the LARR Act.
Raghu, a farmer involved in the protests, expressed disappointment after the meeting. “We expected the chief minister to support us but felt let down,” he said. Farmers are adamant that they do not want to discuss compensation; they only want the acquisition process to stop.
The Chief Minister acknowledged the legal complexities involved in the land acquisition process. He stated that the government must carefully examine the legal aspects before making a decision. He reaffirmed the government’s commitment to democracy and dialogue, stating that they have not suppressed any protests.
As discussions continue, farmers remain hopeful that their voices will be heard and that their land will be protected from acquisition. The situation in Devanahalli reflects a broader struggle for farmers’ rights across India, as they seek to defend their livelihoods against industrial expansion on agricultural land.