Deve Gowda Urges Karnataka CM to Drop Township Project, Warns of Satyagraha

Former Prime Minister H D Deve Gowda has called on Karnataka Chief Minister D K Shivakumar to withdraw the Greater Bengaluru Integrated Township (GBIT) project, warning of a satyagraha if the project proceeds. The appeal follows violent clashes during a land acquisition survey at Mandalahalli in Bengaluru South district.

Addressing a news conference on Tuesday, Gowda stated that 82 per cent of the 10,580 people losing land for the project are small-scale farmers. He highlighted that 2,555 of these farmers own less than five guntas of land, arguing that the project would cause severe hardship to thousands of families.

Gowda also revealed that he had sent a letter to the Chief Minister in the last week of June, questioning the exemption from a social impact study granted to the project. The social impact assessment is a mandatory requirement under the Right to Fair Compensation and Transparency in Land Acquisition, Rehabilitation and Resettlement Act, 2013, for large land acquisitions.

The Greater Bengaluru Integrated Township project is intended to develop a modern township on the outskirts of Bengaluru. However, it has faced opposition from local farmers and residents who fear losing their land and livelihoods. The violence on Monday involved clashes between protesters and survey teams, leading to injuries and damage to vehicles.

Chief Minister D K Shivakumar has not yet responded publicly to Gowda's demands. The Karnataka government has maintained that the project will bring development and employment opportunities to the region.