SKM leaders, including Rakesh Tikait, to visit Devanahalli on July 3 to instill confidence among protesting farmers

Offering support to Devanahalli farmers who are demanding that the government should shelve the process of acquisition of their lands for Aerospace Park, farmers’ leaders of Samyukta Kisan Morcha (SKM), including Rakesh Tikait who led the Delhi farmers’ movement, will visit the protesting farmers in their villages on Thursday to instil confidence in them.

The SKM leaders who are visiting Devanahalli include Darshan Pal, Sunilam, Yudhvir Singh, Viju Krishnan, and P.T. John, according to the protesters. They will also participate in the dharna ongoing at Freedom Park of Bengaluru in support of the farmers. Their visit to Devanahalli is scheduled a day ahead of the meeting between Chief Minister Siddaramaiah and farmers’ representatives to discuss their demand.

Meanwhile, hundreds of farmers from Devanahalli taluk, who are opposing land acquisition, observed a day-long fast on Wednesday at Channarayapatna taluk while support for their struggle swelled with leading personalities from various walks of life visiting the extended protest site at Freedom Park in Bengaluru.

The day-long fast that was staged by farmers in Channarayapatna of Devanahalli taluk and also by nine representatives from various organizations at the Freedom Park in Bengaluru aimed at bringing pressure on the government ahead of the special Cabinet meeting that was held atop Nandi Hills on Wednesday. It is learnt that the farmers’ demand came up for discussion at the Cabinet, though neither any stand was taken on it nor was there any official word on such a discussion.

Senior writer and thinker Prof. Rahamat Tarikere, actors Prakash Raj, Kishore, and Akshatha Pandavapura, directors Rajendra Singh Babu, Girish Kasaravalli, Nagathihalli Chandrashekar, T.N. Seetharam, P. Seshadri, and Nanjundegowda, producers Vijayalakshmi Singh, Krishnegowda, and music composer Kaviraj were among those who visited the protest site.

Speaking on the occasion, Prakash Raj said, “This is not just a problem for farmers, it is a problem for all of us. We need to ask the government, you talk about development, but are farmers not part of your development?”