Latest news with #Narayanaswamy
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.
Time of India
16-06-2025
- Politics
- Time of India
Protesters demand land for Hindu crematorium in Madikeri
Madikeri: Smashana Horata Samithi organised a demonstration outside the Nellihudikeri gram panchayat, demanding a crematorium for the Hindu community. Demonstrators displayed a mock corpse while demanding land allocation for the crematorium within the panchayat limits. The samithi's PR Bharat cautioned about intensifying the protest in the coming days. The protesters highlighted that over 6,000 Hindu residents within the panchayat limits face difficulties with the current graveyard near River Cauvery being in poor condition. Noting their seven-month struggle for a permanent cemetery site, Bharat claimed authorities made unfulfilled promises on land identification. He added that despite submitting requests to reclaim encroached cemetery land, the gram panchayat remained unresponsive. While the panchayat designated land for a crematorium, some residents opposed its establishment, citing proximity to the village temple. Bharat countered that private landowners were objecting to the graveyard and insisted on establishing it at the previously identified location. The protesters submitted their demands to panchayat development officer Narayanaswamy.
India Gazette
11-06-2025
- Politics
- India Gazette
"To protect Karnataka CM and DyCM, Congress trying to divert stampede issue with caste census": BJP's Chalavadi Narayanaswamy
Bengaluru (Karnataka) [India], June 11 (ANI): Chalavadi Narayanaswamy, leader of the Opposition in the Karnataka Legislative Council, said on Wednesday that the Congress government has brought up the caste census issue to divert attention from the Bengaluru stampede. Speaking to ANI, Narayanaswamy emphasised that the caste census conducted by the Centre will give the real picture, not the Karnataka government's one. 'The Congress High Command called the state Chief Minister and the Deputy Chief Minister about the (Bengaluru) stampede... Because of their mismanagement, 11 people died and many were injured... To protect the CM and the Deputy CM, they are trying to divert this issue with a caste census... The Centre is going to conduct a census very shortly. They will give the real picture, not this (Karnataka) government,' Narayanaswamy said. Earlier on Tuesday, Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah and Deputy CM DK Shivakumar met Congress top leadership at Indira Bhawan in Delhi. After the meeting, CM Siddaramaiah said, 'Discussions were held regarding the caste census. This was brought up as some organisations, religious heads, and even a few ministers have raised concerns. The report submitted on the caste census has been accepted in principle. There is an agreement that a caste enumeration should be conducted. We have also agreed to this. However, we will conduct a fresh survey. Since the last enumeration was done in 2015-16, there is an opinion that a new enumeration is necessary. Just as we are conducting surveys for Scheduled Castes, we will carry out another enumeration. It was discussed that this survey should be completed within 90 days.' Speaking on the Bengaluru stampede, the Karnataka CM said that he discussed the incident and explained the measures taken to the party leadership. 'A magisterial inquiry is underway, and a judicial commission has been appointed, led by retired Justice Michael Cunha. Five police officers have been suspended, intelligence officers have been transferred, and the political secretary has been relieved. We explained these actions, and there is a consensus that the measures taken are appropriate... The Kumbh Mela incident should be discussed first before addressing this issue. I am not using the Kumbh Mela deaths to defend this incident. When people die, it is human to feel sorrow. This incident should not be politicised,' CM Siddaramaiah said. Congress MP KC Venugopal said that the meeting discussed two to three crucial issues, including the caste census and the Bengaluru stampede. Speaking to the media, Venugopal said that as some people have 'apprehensions' about the caste census data, the top leadership of Congress has suggested that the Karnataka government re-enumerate the data. (ANI)
New Indian Express
03-06-2025
- Politics
- New Indian Express
Cong MLCs ask Horatti to act against BJP members
The controversy centres around Narayanaswamy's reported comparison of RDPR Minister Priyank Kharge to a dog, and Ravikumar's alleged remark describing Kalaburagi Deputy Commissioner Fouzia Tarannum as 'Pakistani'. The Congress delegation demanded Narayanaswamy's removal from the Council for his comment and sought immediate legal and constitutional action against Ravikumar as well. Ahmed emphasised that the delegation had submitted the formal complaints to ensure that justice is done. He stressed that Narayanaswamy's statement was particularly unbecoming of an Opposition Leader, while Ravikumar's comment about the IAS officer was both unconstitutional and offensive. 'We have urged the Chairman to take appropriate action,' he added. The Congress had earlier filed a similar complaint on this matter with Governor Thaawarchand Gehlot.
