Bengaluru, August 18: The Janata Dal (Secular) (JDS) organized a significant protest rally against the Bidadi Township project at Freedom Park in Bengaluru on Tuesday. During the rally, JDS leader H.D. Kumaraswamy launched a fierce attack on Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar.
Kumaraswamy accused the state government of colluding with private interests to seize farmers’ land worth thousands of crores and exploit it for profit. The demonstration, opposing the land acquisition proposal, saw participation from former Prime Minister H.D. Deve Gowda, JDS Youth Wing President Nikhil Kumaraswamy, and thousands of farmers from nearby villages.
Addressing the rally, Kumaraswamy pledged that the JDS would not allow the land of Bidadi farmers to be taken away. He challenged Shivakumar to a public debate regarding the Bidadi Township and NICE projects. He alleged that the government was attempting to acquire fertile agricultural land while controlling the NICE project through private and anonymous companies.
“The government is showing arrogance. Through the Bidadi Township and NICE projects, it is trying to seize land worth thousands of crores in collusion with private individuals,” he stated.
Kumaraswamy emphasized that NICE was Deve Gowda’s dream project and that Bidadi Township was his own, but claimed both have been harmed over time. He accused Shivakumar of hypocrisy, noting that while Congress leaders advise Kanakapura residents not to sell their land, the government is trying to acquire agricultural land in Bidadi.
He remarked, “Kanakapura gets butter, while Bidadi faces punishment.” Kumaraswamy also alleged irregularities in the Bengaluru-Mysuru Infrastructure Corridor Project (BMICP), claiming violations of agreements related to NICE and questioning the use of land acquired by NICE for private apartment projects.
He stated that land acquired from the public was mortgaged to raise funds and demanded clarification from the government regarding comments made by the Karnataka High Court about NICE. Kumaraswamy urged the government to investigate the report prepared by a committee chaired by Congress leader T.B. Jayachandra and to return land controlled by NICE to farmers if it was not used for its intended purpose. He criticized the proposed compensation, alleging that the government was offering around 3 crores for land that was previously valued much higher.
He warned the government against provoking farmers and asserted that the JDS would continue its movement peacefully. “I will not allow injustice to happen to the farmers of Bidadi under any circumstances. As long as I am alive, I will stand with them and fight for their rights,” he declared.
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