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Siddaramaiah Gains Ground with Farmers by Cancelling Devanahalli Land Acquisition
Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah may still face questions about his long-term hold on power, but his latest move has significantly strengthened his support among the state’s farming community.
On Wednesday, Siddaramaiah officially cancelled the government's proposal to acquire 1,777 acres of fertile farmland in Devanahalli near Bengaluru, which was earmarked for a high-tech defence and aerospace park. The decision came after over three years of intense protests led by farmer unions like the Samyukta Kisan Morcha and Kisan Sangharsh Samiti, supported by Dalit organisations, labour groups, and intellectuals.
The land in question spans 13 villages in Channarayapatna and is critical for vegetable, fruit, and flower cultivation—crops that feed nearly 30% of Bengaluru’s agricultural needs. For local farmers, this land is not just property—it’s their livelihood.
The original proposal was initiated in 2021 under the BJP government. Although Siddaramaiah, then the Leader of Opposition, had promised to scrap it if Congress came to power, the state government’s move to issue a final acquisition notice in April 2025 was seen by many as a betrayal.
Tensions escalated after the “Devanahalli Chalo” protest on June 25, where police detained demonstrators, sparking national outrage. Public figures like actor Prakash Raj, historian Ramachandra Guha, and writer Devanur Mahadeva also backed the farmers, accusing the Congress government of favouring corporate interests over agrarian rights.
By reversing the decision, Siddaramaiah has repositioned himself as a leader attuned to grassroots movements. This is particularly timely, given the political turbulence he's navigating—allegations involving his family in the Mysuru Urban Development Authority (MUDA) scam, the recent RCB parade stampede, internal Congress dissent over budget allocation, and the ongoing leadership tussle with Deputy CM D.K. Shivakumar.
As Siddaramaiah approaches the mid-point of his term in November, the move is being seen as a calculated win. Farmers and protest leaders have welcomed it wholeheartedly. A.S. Raghu, a member of the Channarayapatna Land Struggle Committee, said, “If not for Siddaramaiah, this decision would not have happened. Despite internal pressures, he upheld his promise to protect our land and livelihoods.”
However, the decision has also stirred discontent among pro-industry voices pushing to position Karnataka as a hub for aerospace and defence sectors, potentially signaling further internal debate within the government on balancing industrial growth with social equity.
