Pics: Adithya Aithal
Daijiworld Media Network – Udupi (TP)
Udupi, Apr 11: The Udupi District Farmers’ Association withdrew the ‘Anndathara Ahorathri Satyagraha’ on Friday, April 11, after the state government agreed to prosecute all 13 accused in the Brahmavar Sugar Factory corruption scandal.
The Udupi District Farmers’ Association called off the 49-day sit-in protest, led by its president K Pratapchandra Shetty, over the scrap scam at the Brahmavar Sugar Factory. The withdrawal followed the government’s acceptance of various demands, including a comprehensive investigation.
Deputy commissioner Dr K Vidya Kumari and superintendent of police Dr Arun K visited the protest site on April 9 and announced that the government had accepted the protestors’ demands, urging them to withdraw the protest.
The government agreed to prosecute all 13 accused, including three senior cooperative department officials allegedly involved in the case. It is understood that the government has approved prosecution against 10 individuals, including Suprasad Shetty Baikady, the former president; Praveen B Naik; Lakshminarayan; and other senior district cooperative department officials. The demand for appointing a special public prosecutor was also met, with Shivaprasad Alva being named to the role.
A thanksgiving ceremony was held on April 11, attended by representatives of various farmers’ associations, cooperative society office-bearers, farmers, and residents, who had participated in the protest around the clock in shifts. Their united efforts strengthened the fight for justice and against corruption in the district.
During the thanksgiving ceremony, Pratapchandra Shetty, president of the Udupi District Farmers’ Association, said, “The work done by the government has come only after eight months. This is not a moment to celebrate. When a case of corruption comes to light, it should be dealt with within three months. However, in this case, the state government and district administration delayed justice for the farmers. For the past two years, none of the MLAs from Udupi district raised their voice on this issue or expressed their opinions. We expect people’s representatives to be the voice of the people. It does not matter how many years one has served as MLA or MP; what matters is how one has served the people. MLAs who have not worked for the welfare of the people should reflect on their roles. This association was formed to bring this issue to the government’s attention. It is our duty to raise our voices when our property is looted. This satyagraha began because justice was delayed. Since its inception, many like-minded associations have joined us in this struggle.”
Addressing the gathering, Rajaram Thallur said, “The path to truth is strewn with stones and thorns, but hope always remains. With good leadership, this cause has reached its goal. When truth takes one path, lies take a hundred different routes. In Sabarmati, where Gandhiji once led, even though he willed the Sabarmati Ashram to be handed over to Harijans, it is now being converted into an amusement park. A Rs 1,200 cr Sabarmati Riverfront tourism project is being planned. Gandhiji’s ideals are not being preserved.”
The ceremony was attended by several leaders, including State Mahila Congress president Sowmya Reddy, Udupi District Congress president Ashok Kumar Kodavoor, MLC Manjunath Bhandary, Udupi Taluk Guarantee Scheme Implementation Committee president Ramesh Kanchan, and leaders Muniyal Uday Kumar Shetty, Jyothi Hebbar, Veronica Cornelio, M A Gafoor, and others.