The protests, opposing the acquisition of nearly 1,777 acres of fertile land for a planned aerospace park, have included sit-ins, fasts and demonstrations at Channarayapatna and Bengaluru’s Freedom Park.
Published Jul 05, 2025 | 12:05 AM ⚊ Updated Jul 05, 2025 | 12:05 AM
The Chief Minister reiterated that a follow-up meeting with the protestors will be held on 15 July, after the legal review is complete.
Synopsis: The Karnataka government has sought ten more days to arrive at a clear decision on the Devanahalli land acquisition, following a meeting with protesting farmers at Vidhana Soudha. Farmers from 13 villages have been opposing the takeover of 1,777 acres of fertile land for over three years, demanding a complete withdrawal of the project. A follow-up meeting has been scheduled for 15 July.
The Karnataka government has sought ten more days to arrive at a decision on the Devanahalli land acquisition issue, following a meeting with protesting farmers’ representatives at Vidhana Soudha on Friday, 4 July.
Farmers from 13 villages in Devanahalli taluk, Bengaluru North district, have been protesting the KIADB’s proposed land acquisition for over 1,180 days, since 4 April 2022.
The protests, opposing the acquisition of nearly 1,777 acres of fertile land for a planned aerospace park, have included sit-ins, fasts and demonstrations at Channarayapatna and Bengaluru’s Freedom Park.
On 27 June, the farmers launched an indefinite “Bhoomi Satyagraha” at Freedom Park, demanding a complete withdrawal of the project.
The meeting was attended by Ministers KH Muniyappa and Byrathi Suresh, State Planning Commission Vice-Chairperson BR Patil, the Chief Minister’s Political Secretary Naseer Ahmad, and Legal Advisor Ponnanna.
Actor and activist Prakash Raj was also present, along with representatives from various farmers’ organisations.
According to sources present at the meeting, officials noted that since the final notification for land acquisition was issued in April, further discussions are required on its implications and consequences.
Thus, the government has sought ten more days to arrive at a clear decision.
Legal experts pointed out specific hurdles in withdrawing the land acquisition process in Channarayapatna Hobli of Devanahalli taluk.
While corrective measures have been proposed, the chief minister said the government cannot act outside the bounds of the law.
As the final notification was issued following legal procedure, its legal aspects need to be thoroughly reviewed. A preparatory meeting on the matter was held a day earlier.
“A meeting with farmers will be held after resolving the legal hurdles related to this,” Siddaramaiah said.
“We believe in democracy and dialogue. There has been no obstruction to the protest. The government has not attempted to suppress it. I, too, was once part of a farmers’ association.”
He reiterated that a follow-up meeting with the protestors will be held on 15 July, after the legal review is complete.
“We’re hoping for the best at the moment, and we’re not going to give up, no matter what,” said protest leader Chukki Nanjundaswamy after the meeting.
“We respect that the government needs time, and we’re willing to wait, but we hope this time, it leads to a meaningful solution for our people.”
(Edited by Dese Gowda)
