Shivamogga: Karnataka Rajya Raitha Sangha and Hasiru Sene have issued a call for a massive ‘Vidhana Soudha Chalo’ protest on Aug 25, to demand the cancellation of the proposed Bidadi Township Project and the immediate halt of land acquisition processes. Speaking in Shivamogga, KRRS senior leader HR Basavarajappa announced that the protest is jointly organised by Samyukta Horata Karnataka and Bairamangala–Kanchugarana Halli gram panchayat land protection committee.The primary objective of the movement is to extend solidarity to farmers in Bidadi and prevent the acquisition of fertile, irrigated agricultural land for real estate development. Farmers in Bidadi have been holding indefinite protests for more than 550 days against land acquisition. Expressing frustration that despite support pouring in from across the country, Karnataka govt has failed to provide a concrete resolution, he said.Chief minister DK Shivakumar had announced on July 14, that a review panel would be set up, followed by an announcement on Aug 9, regarding a four-member committee headed by a retired high court judge to submit a report within 30 days. However, Samyukta Horata Karnataka pointed out that despite more than two weeks having passed, no official govt order has been published, calling the delay intentional.The farmer leaders also criticised all three major political parties—Congress, BJP, and JD(S)—accusing them of politicising the issue for party gains rather than taking concrete action in the legislative assembly to safeguard farmers’ agricultural lands.Consequently, the Karnataka Rajya Raitha Sangha and allied organisations have urged farmers from every district across Karnataka, along with labourers, women, youth, and students to march to Bengaluru on Aug 25 and join the Vidhana Soudha Chalo rally, and protect agricultural livelihoods, Basavarajappa stated.
