After enduring 1,198 days of protest, the farmers of Devanahalli are celebrating a hard‑fought victory: the Karnataka government has officially withdrawn its notification to acquire 1,777 acres of fertile farmland for a proposed defence and aerospace park, reported Deccan Herald. This long-drawn confrontation, which began in April 2022, has ended with the state choosing to prioritise agricultural livelihood over industrial ambitions—a decision that has sparked both relief and guarded optimism.
The seeds for this confrontation were sown when the Karnataka Industrial Areas Development Board issued a notification under the KIAD Act to acquire land across 13 villages in Channarayapatna hobli. Local farmers, supported by activists and multiple trade unions, responded by launching a silent sit-in at the Devanahalli taluk office. Their resistance continued through monsoon rains, harsh summers, and repeated arrests, maintaining unbroken presence for over three years.
One of the most poignant chapters in this struggle belongs to farmer Pramod Kumar, who lost partial eyesight after being injured in a baton charge during a protest in August 2022. Undeterred, he kept returning to represent the resilience of his fellow farmers. Their narrative echoed across villages like Polanahalli, Nallapanahalli, and Mallepura, where families rely on crops like mangoes, vegetables, grapes, and dairy to sustain their livelihoods.
The protest’s endurance caught wider attention when leaders of Samyukta Kisan Morcha, CPI(M), Dalit and Muslim groups, and civil society activists joined hands at Bengaluru’s Freedom Park during a mass “Devanahalli chalo” rally in late June. Local MLA K.H. Muniyappa and other legislators also advocated on behalf of the farmers during consultations with Chief Minister Siddaramaiah.
On July 15, Siddaramaiah announced at a press briefing that the government would drop the acquisition after careful consideration of farmers’ objections and legal advice, citing constitutional powers under sections 28(2) and (4) of the KIAD Act. He emphasised that future acquisition would be possible only with the farmers’ consent, promising fair compensation where applicable. This marked a dramatic reversal from the April notification and a political gamble for the Congress leadership.
Reactions from the farmers were elated and emotional. Centre for Indian Trade Unions Karnataka secretary S. Varalakshmi highlighted the solidarity that emerged from the movement, framing their victory as an alliance of “blue, green and red” symbols—Dalit, farmer and communist unity. For many families, especially those like Jagadish, who lost land earlier, the outcome is a lifeline that preserves not only property but dignity and food security.
This struggle also raises broader questions about Karnataka’s model of development. Critics – including farmer leader Yashavantha and grassroots activists – have warned that the original acquisition was a step toward real estate profiteering disguised as industrialisation. The struggle for land rights in Devanahalli resonates with past battles, such as the successful sack of the Mangalore SEZ in 2012, and now sets a precedent for resisting future land grab attempts.
Yet, challenges remain. More than 95% of farmers in the 13 affected villages reportedly refused the acquisition; however, the government has denotified only those who received final notifications so far—leaving others in limbo. Farmers say they will continue protesting until all targeted land is freed.
The movement has also triggered calls for deeper legal reform. Activists argue that the KIAD Act should require public consultation and genuine consent, aligning with the broader Right to Fair Compensation and Transparency in Land Acquisition Regulations. A high court bench has been asked to examine the legality of the unilateral notification.
Looking ahead, resource-rich Devanahalli plans remain on hold. The site next to the international airport now has potential for alternative development models—Agri-Tech parks, eco-tourism, and regional markets that align with farming lifestyles. For farmers, whose consolidated lands have supported daily wages for hundreds, the land remains their only security.
In the end, the Devanahalli saga is a testament to community resolve and political accountability. It suggests that with sustained grassroots mobilisation, legal clarity, and political solidarity, citizens can challenge top-down economic visions. The question now is whether Karnataka will learn from this lesson, and craft policies that genuinely balance agricultural heritage, economic growth and social equity.
Photo Credit: Deccan Herald
