Daijiworld Media Network – Moodbidri
Moodbidri, Nov 2: Farmers in large numbers staged a protest march and meeting on Saturday against Sterlite Power Company, accusing it of destroying farmlands and committing atrocities against farmers using police force during the construction of the Udupi–Kasargod 440 kV power line project.
Agitated farmers gathered near the Ashwathapura Sitarama Temple and raised slogans against the company. They later marched to the farm of Bhaskar Shetty in Ontimar, whose crops were damaged by the project. A protest meeting was subsequently held at his residence, where farmers voiced their anger.
Addressing the protesters, Sri Esha Vittaldas Swamiji of Kemar Sandeepani Math said that anti-people and anti-farmer corporate projects are beginning to emerge in the undivided Dakshina Kannada–Udupi region. “To suppress such struggles, companies try to lure the leaders at the forefront with money or land. But these struggles will not end. Governments treat Dakshina Kannada as a dumping ground, setting up unnecessary industries here and disturbing the peace of its people. This is truly unfortunate,” he said.
He further added, “Nowadays, looting has taken precedence over knowledge. Farmers are being wronged. The development of farmers is the development of the nation. When agriculture thrives, all life forms—humans, animals, and birds—thrive. If farming perishes, everything connected to humanity will also perish.”
Later, hereditary priest of Kateel Durgaparameshwari Temple, Ananta Asranna, addressed the gathering. A meeting was then held at the residence of Bhaskar Shetty, whose crops were damaged.
Speaking on the occasion, farmer leader Narayana Swami said, “A single farmer’s problem is the problem of all farmers. We must unite and fight together. The government is undertaking projects by seizing land without farmers’ consent, destroying crops for their gain. Who has given the company permission to illegally enter farmlands and destroy crops?”
He questioned, “If farmers stop cultivating, what will people eat? We do not need development that tramples over farmers. Due to the government’s unscientific decisions, farmers are abandoning agriculture and turning into labourers. This project should be implemented far away from farmlands. Farmers will not allow the company to take even an inch of their land.”
State farmer leaders Narayana Swami, Sucharita Shetty, Krishna Prasad Tantri, gram panchayat president Shalini, Praveen Bhandari, Vasanth Bhat, Raviraj, Suresh Shetty Dota, Balakrishna Devadiga, Bhaskar Shetty, Alphonse Niddodi, Inna Chandrahass Shetty, Honnappa Gowda, Krishnamurthy, Jacin Pinto, Sudesh Devadiga, and Harish Ullal were among the prominent participants in the protest.