Latest news with #ChalavadiNarayanaswamy
New Indian Express
9 hours ago
- Politics
- New Indian Express
Karnataka government forcibly acquiring forest land, says Chalavadi
BENGALURU: As the State Government initiates action to reclaim encroached forest land, a fierce political row has erupted, with Leader of Opposition in the Council, Chalavadi Narayanaswamy, alleging that authorities are forcibly attempting to reacquire land valued at nearly Rs 7,000 crore — land he claims belongs to Dalit families. Addressing the media at Vidhana Soudha, Narayanaswamy accused the government of betraying Dalits by targeting their homes and livelihoods under the pretext of forest land reclamation. The land in question-around 711 acres in Kadugodi 200 village, Bidarahalli Hobli, Mahadevapura constituency-was reportedly 'sanctioned' to local farmers in the 1950s and subsequently distributed among Dalits and marginalised farmers through cooperative societies. Though it was originally classified as forest land, Narayanaswamy insisted it had later been converted to revenue land. However, Forest Minister Eshwar Khandre strongly rebutted these claims. Speaking to TNIE, he said, 'Once a land is notified as forest land, it remains forest forever. It cannot be granted, sold, or used for non-forest activities without approval from the Government of India or the Supreme Court. Any responsible person should understand this simple fact.' Narayanaswamy alleged that the reclassification of the land as forest property was abrupt and strategically timed to facilitate its takeover. 'How can land already allotted to KSSIDC, Metro Rail, Railways, and even temples now suddenly be termed forest land?' he asked. Despite a court order upholding status quo and staying demolition, reports have emerged of homes and structures being razed. Narayanaswamy claimed over 2,000 houses and more than 5,000 residents-mostly Dalits-are affected. He accused the police of using force to evict residents in defiance of legal protection. 'This is nothing short of hooliganism,' he said. Demanding transparency, Narayanaswamy called for a white paper on all land allotments and transactions since 1950 and warned of statewide agitation if the government continues what he termed a 'coercive and unlawful' land grab. 'Investigate the matter and publish the white paper,' he urged.
Hans India
a day ago
- Politics
- Hans India
Cong govt trying to grab land valued at Rs 7,000 cr by evicting Dalits: K'taka BJP
Bengaluru: Karnataka BJP has charged that a conspiracy is underway to dispossess Dalits of Rs 7,000 crore worth of valuable land located close to the tech park in Mahadevapura in Bengaluru and turn it into capital for profit. Chalavadi Narayanaswamy, Leader of Opposition in Karnataka Legislative Council, made the allegation while speaking at a press conference at his office in Vidhana Soudha on Thursday. He said: 'The land in question may once have been forest land, but after being reclassified as revenue land, it was distributed by the Revenue Department to Dalits. Portions have even been allotted to the Railways and Karnataka Industrial Area Development Board (KIADB). "Now, I demand that the Chief Minister, in the presence of the Revenue Minister, Industries Minister, and Forest Minister, immediately convene a meeting of title deed holders and stop the forest department's operation. The government must clarify whether it stands with the mafia or with Dalits. How can Dalit land be snatched away like this?' Narayanaswamy questioned. 'If there is genuine intent, the land must be acquired by paying compensation. This is a country governed by laws. Dr B.R. Ambedkar's great Constitution has guaranteed rights to all. Snatching away the rights of legal heirs is unjust. This is nothing but a betrayal of Dalits by the government,' he said, warning of a statewide protest against the move. Narayanaswamy claimed that government-backed mafias have set their sights on land where a majority of residents are Dalits. 'The land is valued between Rs 40 to Rs 70 crore per acre. Mafias are eyeing nearly Rs 6,000 to Rs 7,000 crore worth of land. The government is backing this mafia and using the police to suppress people,' he alleged. The land in question lies in front of a Tech Park, and Narayanaswamy pointed out that a court has issued orders not to demolish any structures there. 'The government cannot tolerate Dalits becoming millionaires,' he remarked. The BJP leader further alleged that when Dalits protested, police took them to the station. 'Why is this government so apathetic towards Dalits?' he asked. He said there are about 2,000 houses with over 5,000 residents – all poor Dalit farmers. 'It seems they're doing this because it would be easy to reclaim the land. This, despite ongoing court cases and stay orders,' he said. Narayanaswamy also alleged that when former MP S. Muniswamy tried to intervene, he was arrested. Giving the background of the issue, he said, "In the early 1950s, the government had allotted around 711 acres of land in the Kadugodi region of Bidarahalli Hobli in the Mahadevapura constituency of Bengaluru Urban district to local farmers. The BJP MLC stated, 'Since then, they have been cultivating the land. Some lands were also leased. According to available records, 677.3 acres are currently documented, and according to Column 9 of the Pahani records, 719 acres exist. While it is claimed the land was once forest under royal rule, the Revenue Department had distributed the land through the Kadugodi Cooperative Society in 2, 3, and 4-acre plots to farmers." Now, due to skyrocketing land prices, the government is attempting to declare the area as forest land again. 'They are suddenly claiming it is encroached land,' Narayanaswamy said. He displayed Pahani documents dating back to the 1950s, showing title deeds had been granted and taxes paid. Despite all legal records, the government is suddenly acting otherwise. Currently, 60 acres and 30 guntas are under the Forest Department, he said. The government has also allotted 153.28 acres to KIADB, 228.31 acres to the Railways, about 3 acres to a temple (which houses an Indira Canteen), 20 acres for housing, 13.03 acres for roads, 2.5 acres for a crematorium, and 32 acres for residential layouts (where a police station is also built). Additionally, 125 acres are under agricultural use, and 44.36 acres (about 45 acres) were allotted to Metro. 'If it truly belonged to the Forest Department, how were all these allocations made?' he questioned. Narayanaswamy alleged that many residents approached the court, which directed the maintenance of the status quo. 'These are residential areas, yet houses and buildings are being demolished despite multiple court orders. Women are being forcefully dragged by male police officers, with only 7-8 female officers present for thousands of women. What kind of hooliganism is this?' Narayanaswamy asked, also showing related videos. He said when told that the case is in court, the officials said, 'We have been given a task by the government, and we will complete it.' Narayanaswamy strongly objected to this statement. Narayanaswamy demanded an investigation and urged the government to release a white paper on the matter, dating from 1950 to the present. 'Explain what has happened in each period. On what grounds was land given to KIADB, Metro, Railways, and others? If the orders are from the government itself, then the fault lies with the government. First, return the land given to KIADB,' he insisted. He said there were more police than protestors at the site. 'They are intimidating the people. There's also a police station, Metro facility, KIADB site, and private factories here. Factory owners have purchased land. Two factories have even gone to the Supreme Court, which ruled that the land cannot be touched. So if the court gives an order, does forest land automatically become private land?' he asked. Former MP S. Muniswamy was also present at the press conference.
The Hindu
2 days ago
- Politics
- The Hindu
Emergency a stigma on nation's democracy, says Chalavadi
Leader of the Opposition in the Legislative Council Chalavadi Narayanaswamy has termed Emergency as a stigma on the nation's democracy and said that because of the former Prime Minister late Indira Gandhi, the nation suffered a huge hardship then. He was addressing a programme, 'Black Days of Emergency', organised at Lingeri Konappa College in Yadgir on Thursday. 'Indira Gandhi imposed Emergency on the nation when she was facing the threat of losing her Prime Ministerial post and also membership in Parliament following a case filed by a private person in the Supreme Court. People staged protests against her decision. Ms. Gandhi jailed them using force. She snatched the freedom of the press and misused Constitutional power,' Mr. Narayanaswany criticised. He further said that to bring the reality and truth behind imposing Emergency to the people, the BJP is holding programmes to create awareness among the youths. Secretary of the Institutions Sidrammappagouda Chegunta, president of the district BJP unit Basavarajappa Vibhutihalli, Ameen Reddy Yalagi and others were present.
Time of India
17-06-2025
- Politics
- Time of India
Stampede deaths: BJP puts caste spin on police officers' suspensions
Bengaluru: Chalavadi Narayanaswamy, opposition leader in the council, Tuesday alleged that the decision to suspend top police officers, including Bengaluru city police commissioner, for the stampede at Royal Challengers Bengaluru's IPL victory celebrations at M Chinnaswamy Stadium, was linked to the caste of the officers. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now He was speaking during a dharna by at Freedom Park in Bengaluru to protests the govt's handling of the affair. Eleven people died in the stampede and scores others were injured. "The poor police commissioner is an ST, and the ACP is from an SC community," said Narayanaswamy. "If the govt had suspended the head of intelligence (Hemant) Nimbalkar, then CM would have ended up as a former CM." Several Karnataka BJP functionaries spoke during the protest, which was originally scheduled for June 13 but was postponed after the Ahmedabad airplane crash. The agenda was to lay siege to the CM's residence, but police took protesters into preventive custody, herding them into buses from Freedom Park. BY Vijayendra, BJP state president, urged Siddaramaiah to take moral responsibility for the deaths during the stampede and resign. "This event was held to save Siddaramaiah's falling popularity," he said. Leader of the opposition R Ashoka raised slogans against the govt and called it "murderous". He questioned the need for the event even when the police had advised against it. "If there were no deaths during the event, the govt would have taken all the credit. But now, you say it wasn't your event," he said and reiterated that the event went on only after the approval of the CM, deputy CM, and chief secretary. Meanwhile, countering calls for his resignation, Siddaramaiah asked how many BJP functionaries had resigned for similar incidents in the past and dared the saffron party to release a list. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now Justifying the govt's action in the wake of the stampede, Siddaramaiah said his govt owned responsibility and suspended senior police officers, including the city commissioner and his own political secretary. "We also commissioned a judicial investigation headed by retired high court judge Justice Micheal D'Cunha," he said. Attacking Prime Minister Narendra Modi over the Pahalgam terror attack, Siddaramaiah pointed out that the PM did not call for a special session of Parliament to debate the incident in which 26 tourists were killed. "We are accountable to seven crore people of Karnataka and penalised officers for dereliction of duty," Siddaramaiah said. "It is BJP's nature to politicise deaths and tragedies, but we will never get bogged down with their political ploy." Chiding principal opposition party BJP for indulging in politics over dead bodies, deputy chief minister DK Shivakumar said he was confident Congress will return to form the govt in 2028 as well. "BJP and JD(S) will continue to indulge in politics over dead bodies, but you [media] be with us," he said. Asked whether he intends to take oath in 2028, if the Congress party wins the elections, Shivakumar sidestepped the question and said: "A Congress govt will take oath."
India Gazette
17-06-2025
- Politics
- India Gazette
Police detain BJP workers following condolence meeting for Bengaluru stampede victims
Bengaluru (Karnataka) [India], June 17 (ANI): The Bharatiya Janata Party workers were detained by the police in Bengaluru on Tuesday. The BJP organised a condolence meeting for the victims of the Bengaluru stampede near the M Chinnaswamy Stadium. BJP demanded the resignation of Chief Minister Siddaramaiah and Deputy CM DK Shivakumar. Speaking to the reporters, BJP MLC Chalavadi Narayanaswamy asked the state government what they had to do with Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) winning Indian Premier League (IPL). He stated that the victory celebrations should never have happened near the Chinnaswamy Stadium. Narayanswamy mentioned that the government called the people to celebrate RCB's win, and for the sake of credit, 'messed up' with the lives of 11 people. 'RCB won the (IPL) match and people were enjoying it. But what did the government have to do with it?...They called people to celebrate. Vidhana Soudha is not a playground, it should have been near the Chinnaswamy stadium. To take credit, this government messed up and 11 people died, yet the government did not accept its mistake', Chalavadi Narayanaswamy told ANI. The BJP MLC said that his party wants to teach a lesson to the state government and the CM and Deputy CM should, and if they don't the protests will continue. Narayanswamy highlighted that being the opposition of the state, it is their right to ask questions from the government. 'We want to teach them a lesson. The CM and Deputy CM should resign and if they don't, the protests will not BJP, is doing politics of dead in the opposition, it is our right to ask questions', he added. On Sunday, Karnataka Leader of Opposition (LoP) R Ashok has urged the state government to convene an emergency session of the legislature to discuss the stampede tragedy at Chinnaswamy Stadium in Bengaluru. In a letter to Chief Minister Siddaramaiah, Ashok highlighted that the incident has raised serious questions about public safety, crowd control, and the organisation of sports and other events. Eleven people died and more than 30 were injured in a stampede outside Bengaluru's M Chinnaswamy stadium as a huge crowd of nearly 3 lakh people had gathered to witness the victory celebration of Royal Challengers Bengaluru for winning the Indian Premier League (IPL). Following the incident, the Karnataka government on June 5 suspended top police officials at the Cubbon Park Police Station and formed a one-man commission under a retired High Court Judge to probe the incident. (ANI)
