The farmers’ agitation against the Bidadi Township Project, which gathered momentum in Bairamangala on Monday, did not merely question the large-scale land acquisition but also sparked discussions on food security, linear development models, and the social consequences of a paradigm shift in land use.

A key issue raised by farmer leader Badagalapura Nagendra was what he called “Bengaluru-centric development”, which has been consuming fertile agricultural land on the city’s outskirts. He cited the recent Devanahalli protest as an example.

“Imagine, water is being supplied to Bengaluru through the Cauvery sixth and seventh stages, which is an indication that development is coming at a cost,” he pointed out.

The protest included cultivators from Mandya and Mysuru, who said their participation went beyond mere solidarity.

Fear for future

“Yes, we share the same occupation, and there is an emotional connection, but these developments also spark a fear that our turn may be next. Today, it is Bidadi, tomorrow it could be Mandya, and a few days later Chamarajanagar,” said Radha, a farmer from Mandya.

Govindaraju, a farmer leader from Tumakuru, raised concerns about food security. While addressing the gathering, he pointed out that vast stretches of horticultural crops would be destroyed if the project goes on.

According to documents accessed by The Hindu, more than 400 acres of ragi cultivation will be lost if the project is implemented. In dairy terms, farmers across the 26 villages proposed for acquisition collectively produce 6 lakh litres of milk every day. Coconut, paddy, and fruits such as banana and mango would also be affected.

Speaking about the social impact, Yashavantha T., State general secretary of Karnataka Prantha Raitha Sangha (KPRS), said that many families are already experiencing internal conflicts over whether or not to part with land and also with their neighbours, erasing years of shared bonds.

Farmer leader Nagaraju M.R. raised a critical question: how will all the families in these villages be rehabilitated, and where are they expected to go? “Even if they move to distant places and buy land elsewhere, those villages will always see us as migrants,” he stressed.

No social impact study

A source in the Greater Bengaluru Development Authority said that the government has not conducted a social impact study, as it is not mandatory under the Land Acquisition Act.

Mr. Nagaraju also pointed out that land prices around the proposed township are already skyrocketing, which would eventually lead to demands for further expansion, turning the entire process into a vicious cycle.

MLA for Melkote Darshan Puttannaiah cited the example of Delhi to explain how township expansion can erode agrarian culture.

“Years ago, agricultural lands in Noida were acquired from farmers after paying hefty compensation. Farmers took those cheques, exhausted the money, and now many of them are working as security guards,” Mr. Puttannaiah said.

The protesters collectively stressed that the issue is not merely about a change in land ownership but about a complete transformation of their lifestyle and society.