The Karnataka Bandh convened on Monday by a group of peasant, labor, left-wing, pro-Kannada and Dalit organizations led by the Karnataka Rajya Raitha Sangha and supported by the main opposition party, Congress, as well as others such as the SDPI, provoked a mixed response in the state.
Thousands of Farmers marched in the state capital, Bengaluru. and around 300 of them were detained, including KRRS leaders Kodihalli Chandrashekar and Kurburu Shanthkumar, congressional leaders, including opposition leader Siddaramaiah, KPCC chairman DK Shivakumar, national spokesperson Randeep Singh Surjewala and other leaders who they were protesting near the Congressional office in the city.
The protesters called for the withdrawal of changes in the land reform law, which allowed non-farmers to buy agricultural land, and amendments to the APMC Law that now allows farmers to sell their products to anyone of their choice. They are also demanding that changes made to the essential commodities amendment bill be withdrawn.
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Siddaramaiah, speaking at the protest, said the proposed changes were the ‘finishing touch’ for the farming community. “I challenge the CM to resign and allow surveys to be conducted on these issues and we will see what the result will be,” he said. KPCC President DK Shivakumar demanded that the “three black laws” be withdrawn or repealed. Subsequently, a congressional delegation also presented a memorandum to the governor on this issue.
Chief Minister BS Yediyurappa in a press conference reiterated that the agricultural bills passed in the recently concluded assembly session are of interest to farmers. “As the son of a farmer, I will never do anything against your interests. The Opposition is trying to deceive the farmers and it is a conspiracy. Even now, anyone who buys irrigated farmland cannot use it for any other purpose. They cannot buy land from SC / ST or from small farmers. “
Yediyurappa also said that allowing farmers to sell their products to anyone of their choice rather than just through APMC was an “achievement after a 25-30 year struggle.” He stated that he was open to discussing with farmers’ leaders and said that the results of the changes made could be seen in the next six months. The CM also said he would travel across the state to explain the benefits of farm laws.
Also in several districts, several farmers, Congress, SDPI and Karnataka Rakshana Vedike activists were detained when they obstructed traffic, including in Mysore, Hassan, Kodagu, Gulbarga and some other places, but then stopped doing so. The bandh caused a poor response in the coastal and northern areas of the state, which have been hit by heavy rains. Buses and other essential services, commercial establishments, government and private offices also functioned normally in most parts of the state. However, Congress and farmers’ organizations have said they will continue the protests until their demands are met.
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