Members of the Karnataka State Farmers’ Federation and the Karnataka State Sugarcane Growers’ Association staged a protest at Gandhi Square in Mysuru on Friday, demanding that the Karnataka government immediately declare drought-hit taluks and halt the proposed 7,500-acre Bidadi Township project.
The protesters alleged that delayed monsoon rains have left standing crops withering across several districts, including Mysuru and Chamarajanagar, while fodder and drinking water shortages are worsening rural distress. They urged both the state and Union governments to send an official drought assessment team and announce relief measures without delay.
Addressing the gathering, Karnataka Sugarcane Growers’ Association president Kuruburu Shanthakumar appealed to governments to prioritise farmers over political interests and criticised the proposed acquisition of fertile agricultural land for the township project.
At the time of reporting, there was no official response from the Karnataka government regarding the protesters’ demands.
Farmers Seek Immediate Relief
Holding placards and raising slogans, members of the two farmers’ organisations gathered at Gandhi Square to voice concerns over what they described as an escalating agrarian crisis.
Protesters claimed that the failure of the southwest monsoon has severely affected agricultural activity in many parts of Karnataka, leaving rain-fed crops under stress and threatening the livelihoods of thousands of farming families.
According to the demonstrators, several villages are already facing shortages of fodder for livestock and drinking water, adding to the burden on rural communities.
The protesters argued that the continued delay in officially declaring drought-hit taluks could postpone crucial government assistance, including compensation for crop losses, subsidised fodder, drinking water arrangements and other relief measures.
They urged both the Karnataka government and the Centre to immediately constitute and dispatch a drought assessment team to evaluate rainfall deficiency and crop damage so that relief packages can be released without further delay.
Addressing the gathering, Karnataka Sugarcane Growers’ Association president Kuruburu Shanthakumar said farmers should not become victims of political disagreements. He urged both the state and Union governments to work together to provide timely assistance to cultivators facing mounting financial distress.
“Governments must bail out farmers from the present crisis by setting aside political considerations,” he said, stressing that prompt intervention is essential to prevent the situation from deteriorating further during the current agricultural season.
Opposition to Land Acquisition
Alongside their demand for drought relief, the farmers strongly opposed the Karnataka government’s proposed Bidadi Township project, under which nearly 7,500 acres of agricultural land are reportedly proposed for acquisition. Farmer leaders argued that the project would result in the loss of fertile farmland and threaten the livelihoods of cultivators who have depended on the land for generations.
Shanthakumar alleged that coconut and arecanut plantations would be destroyed if the project proceeds, leading to significant economic losses for horticulture farmers. He maintained that productive agricultural land should be protected rather than diverted for urban expansion and called on policymakers to explore alternative development models that minimise displacement and safeguard food production.
The protest also saw criticism directed at both the ruling and opposition parties. Farmer leaders accused political parties of politicising the township project instead of engaging with the concerns of affected communities.
They urged elected representatives to consult farmers before implementing major infrastructure or township projects involving agricultural land. Among the key demands raised during the demonstration were the immediate declaration of drought-hit taluks, compensation for crop losses, emergency arrangements for fodder and drinking water, financial support for affected cultivators and the withdrawal or suspension of the proposed Bidadi Township project until adequate consultations are held.
The Logical Indian’s Perspective
The Mysuru protest highlights two pressing challenges confronting India’s agricultural sector: increasing climate uncertainty and the difficult balance between development and the protection of livelihoods. As erratic weather patterns become more frequent, timely drought assessments, transparent relief mechanisms and effective support systems are essential to ensure that vulnerable farming communities are not left waiting during periods of crisis.
Equally, infrastructure and urban development projects should be planned through meaningful consultation with affected communities so that economic growth does not come at the cost of fertile farmland, environmental sustainability or social justice.
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