Mysuru: Well-known writer Devanura Mahadeva Friday said the fight against the proposed Bidadi township project should now be led by Gen Z, adding that they would follow the younger generation.Addressing reporters at Mysuru’s Jaladarshini guesthouse, Mahadeva said Gen Z was now active and must join the struggle.Mahadeva said public opposition to the project was strong. While govt claimed that 80% of the people were willing to give up their land, protesting farmers said 80% of agriculturalists would not part with it, he said.He questioned what would happen if people lost the will to preserve agricultural land. “If all farmers surrender their land, who will continue farming? Will govt provide jobs for everyone? Will it secure people’s livelihood? Will it prevent migration?”Mahadeva further said that if the Bidadi township was implemented, chief minister DK Shivakumar, Union minister HD Kumaraswamy and opposition leader R Ashok would all be equally responsible. He described the tears of the leaders behind the agitation as false and heartless, and called the situation a tragedy for both Karnataka and India.Karnataka Rajya Raitha Sangha state president Badagalapura Nagendra said a report prepared by a four-member committee headed by a retired Supreme Court judge had already been submitted. According to him, the report stated that the Bidadi township had no legal validity, did not account for its social impact, went against environmental considerations and was unfit for implementation.He urged govt to drop the project. A foot march has been planned from Bhairamangala to Freedom Fighters’ Park in Bengaluru against the Bidadi township project.Noted activist SR Hiremath, founder of Samaja Parivartana Samudaya, said fertile agricultural land that produces food must not be acquired. The Congress govt itself was violating the land acquisition law brought in by the UPA govt, he said.
