Tension at protest as farmer consumes pesticide-laced rice bath in Bengaluru rural district

Bengaluru: Tension gripped Channayanapatna near Devanahalli in Bengaluru Rural district on Thursday when a farmer protesting the Karnataka Industrial Area Development Board (KIADB)'s land acquisition tried to kill himself by consuming pesticide-mixed rice bath. Venkatesh was rushed to hospital immediately and is out of danger.
The protest, against the KIADB's move to acquire 1,777 acres of agricultural land spread over 13 villages in Channarayapatna hobli since 2022 (over 1,000 days).
What galvanised the farmers was the final notification issued by the KIADB a few weeks ago. Farmers planned to hold a meeting with the district minister KH Muniyappa, and accordingly, a delegation was to proceed towards Bengaluru. But, police resorted to a crackdown and began arresting farmer leaders coming from various villages of the taluk. This led to heated arguments between farmers and police. As cops tried to disperse the crowd, the farmers staged a demonstration at Channarayapatna and began to cook food. "We were only going to meet the minister as we had decided to hold talks. But police cracked down on all of us abruptly," said a farmer.
After preparing food, the farmers mixed pesticide into the rice bath and distributed it. Police swung into action and threw away the utensils and food. "Even as police and protesters locked horns, Venkatesh consumed the food," said a farmer.
Justice V Gopala Gowda, former Supreme Court judge, said: "This action of the govt at the behest of KIADB is wrong. The govt has curtailed the fundamental rights of farmers. How can the govt initiate acquisition of fertile lands without an industrial policy or proper procedural steps? After issuing a preliminary notification in 2022, they recently issued a final notification leaving out three villages after a hiatus of three years. While the govt has failed to set up any industry on lands acquired in 2018, why are they keen on acquiring this land? Why did police suddenly crack down on farmers who were going to meet the minister? They must have done as per the orders of somebody, and they should be booked for their violent action against peaceful farmers."