On June 21,2026,Nikhil Kumaraswamy,president of Janata Dal (Secular) youth wing,led protest march against proposed Bidadi Integrated Township project in Bengaluru South .
This was not just one symbolic gathering also . It was 11-km padayatra across eight villages,and hundreds of farmers joined him against government's land acquisition plans . That itself shows anger on ground is building seriously.
As Nikhil moved through villages,he spoke to local farmers and pushed message that they should resist giving up their lands . His slogan “Kodalla, Bidalla, Maaralla” (“We won’t give,we won’t leave,and we won’t sell”) became main mood of march only .
And tbh,that line explains whole situation better than any political speech . For farmers,this is not just land parcel on paper . It is livelihood,family security,and future of children.
Few things standing out clearly here:
- Protest is against government's plans for Bidadi Township project .
- Hundreds of local farmers joined Nikhil Kumaraswamy in support .
- Former PM H.D. Deve Gowda may begin hunger strike if demands are not met .
Problem has become sharper because Greater Bengaluru Development Authority (GBDA) is moving ahead with plan to acquire 519 acres of land,mostly affecting small farmers . And when small farmers are involved,compensation cheque alone does not answer everything ah.
Just days earlier,Magadi MLA H.C. Balakrishna had distributed cheques to several farmers who agreed to sell their land . But that also raised concern among others about whether pressure or coercion is happening in acquisition process.
Nikhil also told farmers that if project is scrapped,he would dedicate his family's land for community services like hospitals and schools for farmers' children . He further said he would support legal actions taken by those opposing acquisition,though he did not specify what kind of help.
And now situation feels stuck between development plans on one side and farmers holding onto land on other side . Government may call it township planning,but for villagers,this is about losing what they cannot rebuild easily…
