Over three years of persistent struggle by the farmers of Devanahalli gained a momentous victory on the 15th of July, when the Siddaramaiah government was forced to drop the forcible acquisition of 1,777 acres of fertile land. The farmers, organized under a committee named “Bhoo-swadhina Virodhi Horata Samiti” (Committee for Struggle against Land Acquisition), have been protesting against the illegal land loot by the Karnataka Industrial Areas Development Board (KIADB), since April 4th, 2022.
The initial notification was issued by the Bommai-led BJP government without any consultation with farmers, making the process illegal as they are legally mandated to obtain the consent of the affected population before acquiring land. Siddaramaiah, the then opposition leader, visited the protesting farmers, stating that fertile lands should not be acquired, and assured to withdraw the notification once the Congress government came to power. Even after the Congress came to power riding on promises of social justice, the notifications were not taken back. Recently in June, the police detained about 200 people from the protest site in Devanahalli. The movement intensified after that with 24*7 strikes called by the farmers at Freedom park for a week. Ultimately on the 1198th day CM Siddaramaiah conceded to taking back the notification.
The Devanahalli farmers movement is a significant development in people’s movement in Karnataka. It highlights how the will of the people can make governments bend. Farmers often reflect on how, just a few years ago, they were simply tending to their fields, yet today, they have the confidence to stand up to the police, bureaucracy, and the entire state apparatus. This victory served as a much needed reminder for the people of Karnataka that the future lies in their hands and only they can mould it with collective effort.
Most of the farmers whose land was under threat of acquisition are middle peasants, who are working on their farm as well as employ agricultural labourers as and when required. The leadership of the entire movement rested with these middle peasants. The spurts of militancy seen in this movement can be attributed to their fear of loss of livelihood.
Land acquisitions should be done with people’s consent, limited to barren or low-productivity areas, allowing industries to provide employment opportunities to local communities. However, in Devanahalli, much of it is fertile land that grows various crops like fruits, vegetables, ragi and even flowers. The KIADB acquires agricultural land from the farmers in order to facilitate industrialization, and allot land to the industries in industrial corridors. However, it does not publish data as to how much of the acquired land is left unused. Reports suggest that 40% of the land acquired by the KIADB remains unused. Between 2011 and 2017, around 37,100 acres of acquired land remained unused and formed ‘Land Banks’. These land banks were later sold to large real estate developers at subsidised rates, effectively creating a playground for corporate interests, at the expense of farmers and their livelihoods.
It is also to be noted that this decision did not come from “a change of heart” or the government’s “pro-farmer stance”. We must see this as a result of three years of united and historic struggle that lasted 1198 days, where the farmers stood against all odds and fought tooth and nail against the KIADB and two governments. We should also see it as an attempt by the Congress government to save its image. The state had tried all its methods to stop the movement. Since the beginning, a small group of “pro-acquisition” farmers backed by brokers, have been working to weaken the unity among the protesting farmers. Between July 4th and 15th, the group even held a press conference expressing their willingness to sell their land. The government made last-ditch efforts to persuade the anti-acquisition farmers to end their protest, offering higher compensation to those who voluntarily gave up their land.
The Devanahalli acquisition cannot be seen as an isolated incident. Acquisition of agricultural land is also underway in areas like Anekal, Nandagudi, Bidadi, Kanakapura, and Nelamangala. It is part of a larger plan to concentrate “development” in and around Bengaluru, to make it a favourable spot for foreign investments, at the cost of local livelihood. Siddaramaiah also asserted “…[W]ithdrawing the acquisition solely confined to these particular villages…and the same should not be sought in other places”. Nationally too, land grab remains one of the biggest menaces affecting the people.
For all resistances against land grab in Karnataka and elsewhere, the Devanahalli victory stands as a powerful testament to the fact that the collective strength of the masses can combat the government’s anti-people decisions. Already a bike rally has been taken out by farmers from Sarjapura who are fighting land acquisition, inspired by the Devanahalli farmers’ victory. As similar situations emerge in and around the city, we must draw inspiration from the Devanahalli farmers to build mass movements that resist the corporate loot of land. For the student-youth, it is crucial that we participate and learn from these struggles, stand in solidarity, and carry forward the spirit of resistance.
