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The Wire
16-07-2025
- Politics
- The Wire
How Karnataka's Farmers Successfully Challenged a Draconian Land Acquisition Process
Submitting to a prolonged peaceful protest, Karnataka chief minister Siddaramaiah on July 15 rescinded the 2022 land acquisition notification to 13 villages near the Bengaluru international airport. His final decision asserts the rights of farmers to their 1,777 acres of land, which the Karnataka Industrial Area Development Board (KIADB) had sought to acquire for the construction of an aeropark and allied industries. Since April 2022, farmers in the 13 villages in the Chanrayapatna-Devanahalli area had agitated peacefully against this notification. They held a 'relay satyagraha' continuously for nearly 1,200 days. Forming a group called the Land Acquisition Resistance Committee, farmers had asserted their right to live on their land and to earn their living as farmers. A fertile red-soil tract, farmers grow not only the staple crop of ragi (finger millet) there but also a variety of vegetables and fruits. Some are also horticulturists. Dairy farms and pockets of sericulture combine to make for stable and sustainable livelihoods with youth accessing the booming metropolis for a variety of non-farm jobs. Observing how land acquisition in the vicinity over the past years has rendered farmers bereft of meaningful livelihoods and lives, the Chanrayapatna-Devanahalli farmers questioned the need to uproot them from their ancestral land. Farmers questioned the KIADB's land acquisition process and plans – especially the process of notifying the acquisition when most of the farmers did not want to relinquish their land. The Land Acquisition Act 2013 stipulated that authorities would need the consent of a minimum of 80% of residents to issue such a notification. Farmers also held several meetings with local political representatives and with government agencies and held fast to their beliefs despite the high-handedness of the authorities and often, law enforcement. While campaigning during the 2023 assembly elections, Siddaramaiah, then in the opposition, had assured the farmers that the notification would be withdrawn. A final notification to acquire land in three villages, however, arrived after Siddaramaiah assumed power. This saw an intensification of the struggle and several civil society organisations under the umbrella of 'Samyukta Horata Karnataka' lent support to the farmers' protest. An all-India protest When a large gathering – 'Devanahalli Chalo' – at Chanrayapatna on June 25 was violently disrupted by the police, the farmers and the supporters moved to the Freedom Park in Bengaluru and began protests there. On July 4, a meeting between the farmers and their representatives with the chief minister and government representatives ended with Siddaramaiah assuring them that a final decision would be taken on July 15. Representatives from Samyukt Kisan Morcha had joined the protesting farmers. Its senior leader Darshan Pal noted that this protest would be supported by the SKM and all its branches across India, making it an 'all-India struggle'. Multilingual film actor Prakash Raj lent support. Public letters were written by scholars and writers, calling for the need for balanced regional and industrial economic policies. On the eve of the final decision, a 'Grama Sankalpa Samavesha' was held in Chanraypatna where farmers vowed to continue their agitation and their bhoomi satyagraha – or land non-violence movement – if the government did not withdraw the notification. In a picture similar to the culmination of the Nandigram-Singur movement against land acquisition in Bengal and the prolonged protests led by farmers near Delhi, this protest has shown how, despite the relegation of agriculture, land, and rural issues to the periphery of national planning and interests, it is farmers who are rising up to counter the alarming deceleration in the culture, structure and institutions of our democracy. The Chanraypatna-Devanahalli movement will go down in history as one such example of farmers' resilience and courage against the depredations of a political system that speaks only the language of neo-liberalism. Yet, given the context and precedents of such movements, it may be wise to be cautious and to raise the flag against potential distortions and manipulative politics. Cause for caution While Nandigram-Singur led to the fall of the Communist Party of India (Marxist) and to the rise of Trinamool Congress as the ruling party, the processes of democracy and farmers' rights, and a culture of consultative planning have not been assured in Bengal. The Samyukt Kisan Morcha and other farmers' bodies stood and won against the draconian and undemocratic processes of foisting corporate interests in agriculture over that of farmers interests. Yet, despite conceding defeat, the BJP has continued a policy of corporatisation of agriculture by stealth and none of the concerns of farmers for remunerative prices, continued state support, and adequate allocation of funds have been attended to. In all these cases, land and agriculture have been key issues and the failure of politicians and representatives to resolve them signal how the rights of a majority continue to be marginalised. In sum, a failure to consider, articulate and deploy alternatives for rural India – alternatives that go beyond the standard parameters of productivity, growth and the inevitable transition to urban-industrial areas and lives are missing. Farmers and rural citizens themselves need to consider and demand these new alternatives that can assure them a life and livelihood that can be led with dignity and democracy. Siddaramaiah's note in conceding to the farmers' demands also shows the possibility of how land can still be made into part of the speculative economy that rules not only corporate interests but also that of our elected representatives. Although he called for a complete withdrawal of the acquisition notification, he went on to note that farmers who want to can sell their land at lucrative prices, and that the government will acquire such land as 'for economic development, [the government will] need land to establish industries." "It is the government's duty to facilitate this while also respecting the rights of landowners," he said. Although the chief minister conceded that the protests were part of the democratic process, his qualifying remarks indicated the failure of the government to seriously consider alternative policies that balance regional growth, rural-urban linkages, and provide a level playing ground for all citizens. The hegemony of the now global capitalist economy that strides on the uneven grounds of a largely rural-agrarian society make land the centrepiece of a chequered political-economy. Protests and struggles by farmers come at huge costs to farmers themselves. And each protest tells us that it is the resilience and strength of farmers that make possible these glimmers of hope of retaining our democracy. A.R. Vasavi is a social anthropologist based in Karnataka.
Indian Express
16-07-2025
- Politics
- Indian Express
Why Siddaramaiah has got a booster as he scraps aerospace park land bid near Bengaluru
The question of whether he will continue as the Karnataka Chief Minister is still up in the air, but Siddaramaiah seems to have just cemented his base among the farming community in the state. On Wednesday, the CM dropped a land acquisition bid by the government for a proposed 1,777 acre high-tech defence and aerospace park in rural Bengaluru's Devanahalli. This came after three-and-a-half years of protests led by farmer unions such as Samyukta Kisan Morcha (SKM) and Kisan Sangharsh Samiti, pro-Dalit forums, labour organisations, and literary personalities. The residents of 13 villages in Channarayapatna in rural Bengaluru, where the proposed project was to come up, also joined the protests. The state government has, however, said it would acquire land from those who consent to give their land for any future industrial projects. The now-scrapped proposal in Devanahalli was initiated under the previous BJP government in August 2021. The fertile land — critical for crops like vegetables, fruits, and flowers that supply 30% of Bengaluru's agricultural needs — was key to many farmers' livelihoods, making its acquisition a deeply emotive issue. In 2022, when the farmers launched their protests, Siddaramaiah was the Leader of Opposition and had publicly made a promise to the farmers that he would scrap the acquisition if Congress comes to power. After assuming office, his government's sanction of a final acquisition notification in April 2025 was seen as 'betrayal' by the protesting farmers. The issue ended up gaining momentum, with several leading figures such as actor-politician Prakash Raj, historian Ramachandra Guha, and writer Devanur Mahadeva also joining in to allege that the Congress was prioritising corporates over farmers' interest. This criticism intensified following the 'Devanahalli Chalo' protest on June 25, which gained national attention after police detained protesters, further denting the government's image. Agreeing to the demand to scrap the proposal would bolster Siddaramaiah's image as a 'pro-farmer leader' and bring him respite after a series of setbacks. Last year, the CM was under fire over his family's involvement in the alleged Mysuru Urban Development Authority (MUDA) scam. In June this year, there was a stampede at Royal Challengers Bengaluru's victory parade in Bengaluru. Within the Congress, Siddaramaiah faced complaints from several MLAs over lack of funds to execute projects in their constituencies. Adding to this was the leadership tussle between him and Deputy CM D K Shivakumar. It only intensified with the countdown beginning for November, when Siddaramaiah would hit the half-way mark of his tenure – the point at which a change of guard is supposed to take place, as per an unwritten agreement claimed by Shivakumar's supporters, which is denied by the Siddaramaiah camp. Amidst these developments, his decision to drop the Devanahalli land proposal has led to Siddaramaiah being projected as a leader 'responsive to grassroots movements'. A S Raghu, a farmer and member of the Channarayapatna Land Struggle Committee, an apex body organising the protests, told The Indian Express, 'If not for Siddaramaiah at the helm, the decision would not have been in our favour. Some senior leaders in the government tried to create divisions among the protesting farmers to serve vested interests, but they failed. The CM reinforced his commitment to farmers' livelihood and we are grateful to him.' However, the decision to withdraw the notification appears to have upset pro-industry leaders who wanted to position Karnataka as a hub for the aerospace and defence sector. Industries minister MB Patil had earlier argued that neighbouring states Andhra Pradesh and Tamil Nadu were aggressively expanding their industrial base by offering large parcels of land at subsidised rates. The minister expressed concerns about Karnataka suffering losses if companies in this sector shift their operations to other states. At present, Karnataka, a national leader in the aerospace and defence sector, contributes nearly 65% to the country's output in these sectors. The state is home to major industry giants such as Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL), Safran, Boeing, Airbus, Collins, and Lockheed Martin, with a well-established aerospace park already operating near the Kempegowda International Airport in Devanahalli. To further consolidate its strategic advantage, the Karnataka government felt the need for an additional aerospace and defence park in the region and pushed for strengthening infrastructure around Bengaluru.
Indian Express
13-07-2025
- Politics
- Indian Express
Devanahalli aerospace park: Siddaramaiah to take final call on land acquisition amid mixed responses from farmers
Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah is set to take a final decision on July 15 regarding the acquisition of 449 acres of land, which is proposed to be part of the Hi-Tech Defence and Aerospace Park near Devanahalli, amid mixed responses from local farmers over parting with their land. Addressing reporters, Industries Minister M B Patil told reporters Sunday that while some farmers were protesting against land acquisition at Channarayapatna Hobli, Bengaluru North (formerly Bengaluru Rural) district, others were ready to give up land provided Rs 3.5 crore was compensated per acre of land. 'There are different opinions among farmers. The government is reviewing all aspects of the situation,' he said. The decision of the Karnataka government to acquire 1,777 acres of land across 13 villages of the district has been met with protests since a government order was issued to acquire it in 2022. Farmer organisations recently held a 'Devanahalli Chalo' protest to halt the acquisition carried out by the Karnataka Industrial Area Development Board. Amidst the protest, a section of farmers met Chief Minister Siddaramaiah Saturday, agreeing to give 449 acres to the government – a parcel of land which was part of the notification for the Park. Responding to a question, Patil said that the government was aware of the extent of land purchased by various builders around Devanahalli. 'We know with whom they have made agreements, the parcels of land politicians own, and who is backing the protest (by farmers). There is now a call to preserve agriculture in the Devanahalli region. Therefore, the government is also considering creating a permanent agricultural zone,' he said. Noting the differences among farmers about the acquisition process, he said that such conflict was not acceptable. On writers and intellectuals writing to the Congress high command opposing the land acquisition, he said that he was not opposed to their view. 'In a democracy, everyone has the right to protest. We are exploring all possible options and are seeking legal advice,' he said.
The Hindu
09-07-2025
- Politics
- The Hindu
Time to halt forceful acquisition of land
For more than 1,100 days, farmers of 13 villages near Channarayapatna in Devanahalli taluk, Bengaluru Rural district, have been agitating against the 'forceful' acquisition of their land by the Karnataka government for industrial development. In 2022, the Basavaraj Bommai government notified 1,777 acres off land for a proposed hi-tech defence and aerospace park. This highly fertile region is the lifeline of Bengaluru's food and nutrition security. The farmers immediately took to the streets, demanding that the plan be dropped. They rejected offers of compensation and promises to drop part of the acquisition. The farmers say they want to continue farming and remain on their land that have sustained lives and livelihoods for generations. Their persistent struggle has not only brought them into national focus, but has also foregrounded the legitimacy of forcible land acquisition. Over the past month, this agitation has taken an intense turn. On June 25, a 'Devanahalli Chalo (let's go to Devanahalli)' programme was organised, and various farmer, trade union, Dalit, student, and women's organisations came together to show solidarity with the farmers. The use of police force in dispersing the protesters only intensified the agitation under the aegis of Samyukta Horata Karnataka. Facing intense pressure, Chief Minister Siddaramaiah called a meeting on July 4 and requested time to take a decision. He argued that there were legal hurdles in going back on land acquisition. This is an exercise in obfuscation since the power of the State government to withdraw from the land acquisition process is legally settled. Nevertheless, the farmers have heeded his request and are awaiting his decision. Before elaborating on this, it is necessary to mention that forcible acquisition, premised on the principle of eminent domain, is a colonial relic and has no place in a democracy. It is for this reason that informed consent found a place in the Right to Fair Compensation and Transparency in Land Acquisition, Rehabilitation and Resettlement Act, 2013. However, despite this enactment, there are many State expropriation laws that remain on the statute books. These are used indiscriminately to acquire people's lands. Despite several demands, the Karnataka government has shown no inclination in scrapping these laws. The lands of the Devanahalli farmers have been acquired under one such law — the Karnataka Industrial Areas Development Act, 1966. To date, lakhs of acres of agricultural land have been acquired under this statute for establishing industrial areas and for allotting them to individual companies. There is overwhelming evidence that acres of acquired land are lying waste. The Report of the Comptroller and Auditor General of India on the economic sector for the year ending March 2017 confirmed this. The disastrous nature of forcible acquisition stands exposed, yet the State government is yet to undertake a comprehensive review of the status of all acquired lands. The answer to the question of withdrawal from land acquisition proceedings can be found in the Karnataka Industrial Areas Development Act. Section 4 allows the State government to exclude acquired land at any time it deems necessary. This flows from the settled legal position that the State can exercise its power of withdrawal from land acquisition unilaterally. Indeed, with regard to acquisition under the 1966 Act, the Karnataka High Court, in Thomas Patrao Since Deceased by his LR and Anr. vs. State of Karnataka, 2005, held that the State government can cancel land acquisition notifications before taking possession by virtue of its power under Section 21 of the Karnataka General Clauses Act, 1899. The unambiguous position is that the State government can withdraw the Devanahalli land from acquisition by cancelling the preliminary and final land acquisition notifications. Incidentally, this is a power that successive State governments have exercised. Acquisition of hundreds of acres of notified lands were withdrawn on various counts including farmers' resistance, so the Siddaramaiah government has no real reason to seek time. Instead, it must listen to the demand of the farmers and drop the land acquisition. Else, talk of democracy and social justice will remain hollow words. Clifton D' Rozario is a practicing advocate in the Karnataka High Court and the General Secretary of the All India Lawyers Association for Justice
New Indian Express
05-07-2025
- Politics
- New Indian Express
CM Siddaramaiah meets Devanahalli farmers, seeks 10 days to resolve issue
The Channarayapatna-Devanahalli Land Acquisition Resistance Struggle Committee, backed by Samyukta Horata Karnataka and a coalition of other groups, has been resisting the government's move to acquire 1,777 acres of land across 13 villages of Channarayapatna hobli. The protest hit headlines after police action against the 'Devanahalli Chalo' rally on June 25, which led to the protest at Freedom Park since June 27. The land acquisition process began about three years ago when the BJP government was in power. Then, the Congress had supported the farmers' protest but did nothing after coming to power two years ago. Farmer leaders have made it clear that they will not back down. 'No matter how many days pass, we will not give up our land to any corporate power,' asserted a farmer leader outside Vidhana Soudha. They have warned the government that if it fails to act by July 15, the protest will turn into a statewide agitation, with Samyukta Kisan Morcha and other national farmer associations joining in. Farmers and activists will tour the 13 affected villages, holding mass meetings and putting up signboards declaring their opposition to acquisition of their land. In a move to take the battle beyond agriculture, all supporting organizations will integrate the Devanahalli farmers' struggle into the July 9 nationwide workers' general strike, to galvanize public support.
