HDK cautions against forced acquisition of farmlands in Bidadi, lashes out at Shivakumar

Pledging his support to farmers who are resisting acquisition of their land for an integrated township in Bidadi, Union Minister H.D. Kumaraswamy on Sunday declared that he would not allow even an inch of farmers’ land to be acquired by force and warned officials, particularly, the police that they may have to face the consequences, including imprisonment, if they tried to take over land by force.

Addressing a protest rally by farmers of Bidadi through videoconference from New Delhi, Mr. Kumaraswamy said, “If there is even a minor lapse in protecting farmers and locals, I will personally come to the spot to protect their interests”.

He lashed out at Deputy Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar for what he termed as “false propaganda” that the Bidadi township was a project initiated by the Deve Gowda family.

He accused Mr. Shivakumar of forcibly vacating a person from Billakempanahalli who had built a hotel on the Bangalore–Mysore highway with a Karnataka Finance Corporation loan. Later, that property was purchased at a low price and a school was built on the same land, he alleged.

He further charged that the daughter of a soldier had been kidnapped to force him to part with his land. He also alleged that Mr. Shivakumar had encroached upon land acquired around Hosakerehalli for the NICE Road project, as well as large tracts of land under the Bangalore–Mysore Expressway plan.

He pledged full support to the farmers’ agitation: “I stand with your struggle. I will personally come and join the protests. For the sake of farmers, I am willing to put aside concerns for my health.”

The Union Minister issued a stern warning to officers, particularly police personnel, against bringing pressure on farmers to part with their land.

“You are making a mistake, and you will face the consequences. For your actions, you may even face imprisonment. This government has only two years left. I know what will happen after that. Do not harass farmers simply because someone has ordered you to.”