Women farmers in Bidadi halted a Joint Measurement Committee survey, attacking officials with brooms and stones, leading to two FIRs under stringent sections of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita. Police warned that further attacks on government officials will not be tolerated.
Key Takeaways (मुख्य बिंदु)
- Two FIRs filed under strict Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita sections.
- Farmers assaulted survey officials with brooms and stones.
- Opposition leaders demand a comprehensive white paper on the Bidadi Township project.
Bidadi, Karnataka – In Mandalahalli village, a group of women farmers intercepted the Joint Measurement Committee (JMC) survey team and assaulted them with brooms, stones, and other objects. The clash occurred while the government was conducting land surveys for the proposed Greater Bengaluru Township (commonly known as the Bidadi Township) project. Several officers were injured, prompting Bidadi police to register two First Information Reports (FIRs).
Details of the FIRs
The first FIR was lodged based on a complaint from the driver who ferried the officials to the site. The second FIR stemmed from a complaint by Inspector Murali of the Ramanagara Rural police station. Both FIRs cite multiple sections of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), including Sections 189 (unlawful assembly), 126(2) (wrongful restraint), 352 (intentional insult), 351 (criminal intimidation), 109(1) (attempt to murder), 115(2) (voluntarily causing hurt), 132 (assault on a public servant), 133 (assault on any person), and 74 (assault on a woman with intent to outrage modesty).
Farmers' Demands and Government Response
The protesting farmers claim they were not presented with a formal survey order, whereas the Greater Bengaluru Development Authority (GBDA) maintains that the team was surveying only lands whose owners had granted permission. Bengaluru South Superintendent of Police R. Srinivas Gowda warned that police will not tolerate any obstruction of official duties.
Political and Social Fallout
Opposition Legislative Council Chief Whip N. Ravi Kumar denounced the incident as an “atrocity” against Bidadi farmers and urged the state government to publish a comprehensive white paper covering all aspects of the township—government land, private land acquisitions, and grazing areas. The following day, farmers staged another protest in Bairamangala village, asserting that they have been peacefully protesting for over 480 days and that violence erupted only when officials attempted a forced survey.
Implications Going Forward
The incident highlights deepening mistrust between agrarian communities and urban planners. Without a transparent white paper, the region may witness further escalations, legal battles, and potential setbacks to Bengaluru’s expansion plans. Stakeholders must prioritize dialogue to avoid a protracted socio‑political crisis.