‘No Objection if Farmers Give Up Land Willingly, But Forceful Eviction Won’t Be Tolerated’: H.D. Kumaraswamy on Bidadi Township Project
Bengaluru, June 26: Union Minister for Heavy Industries and Steel H.D. Kumaraswamy on Friday said he has no objection if farmers voluntarily part with their land for the proposed Bidadi Township project, but warned that any attempt to forcibly acquire land or intimidate landowners would not be tolerated.
Addressing reporters outside his Bengaluru residence, Kumaraswamy reiterated that he would be at Byramangala on June 27 and hoped Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar would join him there for a direct interaction with farmers affected by the proposed land acquisition.
Dismissing speculation over a “letter war” with the Chief Minister, Kumaraswamy said meaningful discussions on the issue should take place in the presence of the affected farmers rather than inside Vidhana Soudha.
“I had already informed the Chief Minister that I will be at Byramangala on June 27 to discuss this issue openly. I will keep my word and wait for him there. If he comes, I will be happy to sit with him and discuss the matter,” he said.
The Union Minister said he would remain at Byramangala until Saturday afternoon in the hope that the Chief Minister would respond positively to his invitation.
Clarifying the purpose of his visit, Kumaraswamy said he was not travelling to Byramangala to provoke a confrontation but to hear the concerns of farmers anxious about losing their agricultural land.
“We are not going there to create any confrontation. We are standing with farmers who are worried about their lands. I am only fulfilling the commitment I made to the people. If the Chief Minister also comes, we can work towards a constructive solution,” he said.
On reports that some landowners were willing to surrender their land, Kumaraswamy said he would not oppose any voluntary decision.
“If farmers willingly and happily give up their land, I have absolutely no objection. But if there is any pressure, intimidation or force used to acquire their land, we will not tolerate it,” he asserted.
Recalling his tenure as Chief Minister, Kumaraswamy said he had adopted a consultative approach whenever major land acquisition proposals were considered. Referring to the earlier Bidadi township proposal, he said farmers had been invited to his official residence, Krishna, for discussions before any decision was taken.
He also claimed that Congress leaders, who were then in the Opposition, had opposed the township proposal at the time in support of protesting farmers.
Kumaraswamy maintained that the ongoing agitation against the proposed township is peaceful and lawful and said his visit would also remain peaceful.
“I am going to Byramangala only for the farmers. Their protest is peaceful and within the law, and my visit will be the same. I will spend the day listening to their grievances. If the Chief Minister joins us, it will help find a solution acceptable to everyone,” he said.
The Union Minister also criticised reports suggesting that prohibitory orders under Section 144 could be imposed in the area, saying neither he nor the protesting farmers intended to disturb law and order.
He argued that while a few landowners may be willing to part with their land, a large number of farmers remain opposed to the acquisition and should not be ignored.
Responding to criticism from some ruling party legislators over his wristwatch, Kumaraswamy displayed it before reporters.
“Some people claim I wear an expensive luxury watch. This is a simple HMT watch carrying Dr B.R. Ambedkar’s photograph,” he said.
In a sarcastic remark directed at the State Government, Kumaraswamy added, “This government forms an SIT for everything. If they want, they can even constitute an SIT to investigate my watch.”
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