Farmers join JD(S) march against Bidadi Township project; Deve Gowda threatens hunger strike

In a significant escalation of the opposition to the proposed Bidadi Integrated Township project, Janata Dal (Secular) youth wing president Nikhil Kumaraswamy led a protest march through eight villages slated for land acquisition on Sunday. Former Prime Minister H.D. Deve Gowda has threatened to launch a hunger strike if the government does not drop the project.

Nikhil Kumaraswamy covered 11 kilometres on foot, joined by hundreds of farmers, shouting slogans such as “Kodalla, Bidalla, Maaralla” (We won’t give, we won’t leave, and we won’t sell). The march passed through Anchipura, Anchipura Colony, Bannigiri, Merwegowdanadoddi, Gunduthopu, Gollahalli, Kodipalya and Hosuru villages.

This is the first major on-ground political protest against the project, even as the Greater Bengaluru Development Authority (GBDA) prepares to issue the final notification for the second batch of villages. Last week, the GBDA issued a final notification to acquire 519 acres of land, a majority of it belonging to farmers holding less than an acre.

The protest comes days after Magadi MLA H.C. Balakrishna distributed cheques to seven farmers who agreed to part with their land. Balakrishna has been actively backing the project and supporting Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar, who is spearheading the township initiative and has maintained that the project was originally conceived by former Chief Minister H.D. Kumaraswamy.

Addressing farmers, Nikhil Kumaraswamy assured that if the government drops the project, his family would dedicate their own land for hospitals and schools for farmers’ children with free services. He urged farmers not to be swayed by the GBDA’s offers of compensation, alleging that the authority is enticing landowners with cheques.

“As the son of a farming family, I am here for farmers and not for any political gain. We will never do politics when the matter concerns farmers,” Nikhil said, stressing that the agitation is not politically motivated.

Nikhil indicated support for farmers seeking legal remedies, though he did not specify financial assistance. However, a farmer leader from the region told The Hindu that H.D. Kumaraswamy’s family would appoint advocates to fight legal battles on behalf of the farmers.

The Bidadi Integrated Township project aims to develop a planned satellite township on the outskirts of Bengaluru, but has faced resistance from farmers unwilling to sell their land. Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar has stated that even the family of H.D. Kumaraswamy owns land in the acquisition villages, a point highlighted in posters across the area.