JD-S rallies at Freedom Park against Bidadi Township, Kumaraswamy targets Shivakumar
Synopsis
JD-S turned Freedom Park into a political flashpoint on 18 August, with H.D. Kumaraswamy accusing the Karnataka government of a land grab worth thousands of crores in Bidadi — and challenging Chief Minister Shivakumar to an open debate. With Deve Gowda on the dais and thousands of farmers in attendance, the protest marks a direct escalation in the battle over peri-urban land in Karnataka.
Key Takeaways
JD-S held a large protest at Freedom Park, Bengaluru on 18 August against the Bidadi Township Project .
Kumaraswamy accused Chief Minister D.K.
Shivakumar of colluding with private interests to acquire farmers' land worth thousands of crores.
Deve Gowda and JD-S youth wing president Nikhil Kumaraswamy attended alongside thousands of Bidadi-area farmers.
Kumaraswamy alleged the government offered only around ₹3 crore for land previously valued much higher, and flagged irregularities in the BMICP/NICE projects.
Kumaraswamy challenged Shivakumar to an open debate and vowed to continue the agitation peacefully until farmers' rights are protected.
The Janata Dal (Secular) (JD-S) staged a large-scale protest at Freedom Park in Bengaluru on Tuesday, 18 August, against the proposed Bidadi Township Project, with Union Minister for Heavy Industries and Steel and JD-S leader H.D. Kumaraswamy mounting a sharp attack on Karnataka Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar. Kumaraswamy alleged that the state government was colluding with private interests to acquire fertile agricultural land worth thousands of crores, depriving farmers of their livelihoods.
Who Attended and What Was Demanded
Former Prime Minister H.D. Deve Gowda, JD-S youth wing president Nikhil Kumaraswamy, several senior party leaders, and thousands of farmers from villages surrounding Bidadi participated in the rally. Kumaraswamy vowed that JD-S would not allow Bidadi farmers to be displaced and issued an open challenge to Chief Minister Shivakumar to debate the Bidadi Township and NICE (Nandi Infrastructure Corridor Enterprises) projects publicly.
Key Allegations Against the State Government
Kumaraswamy alleged that the Karnataka government was attempting to acquire fertile farmland through the Bidadi Township and NICE projects while routing control of these projects through private and benami companies. He also alleged irregularities in the Bangalore-Mysore Infrastructure Corridor Project (BMICP), claiming that agreements governing NICE had been violated and that land acquired from the public had been mortgaged to raise funds.
He pointed to Karnataka High Court observations on NICE and demanded that the government explain its position. Kumaraswamy further alleged that land acquired under NICE was being diverted for private apartment projects, calling on the government to return unused land to farmers.
The 'Kanakapura vs Bidadi' Charge
In a pointed jibe at Chief Minister Shivakumar — whose constituency is Kanakapura — Kumaraswamy alleged a double standard: while Congress leaders reportedly advised residents of Kanakapura not to sell their land, the government was simultaneously pursuing agricultural land acquisition in Bidadi. 'Kanakapura gets butter, while Bidadi gets punishment,' he remarked, drawing sharp applause from the crowd.
Compensation Row and Next Steps
Kumaraswamy questioned the adequacy of the proposed compensation, alleging the government was offering around ₹3 crore per unit for land that had been valued significantly higher in earlier assessments. He urged the government to examine a report prepared by a committee headed by Congress leader T.B. Jayachandra and to restore NICE-controlled land to farmers if it had not been used for its originally stated purpose.
He insisted that the NICE project was Deve Gowda's original vision and the Bidadi Township his own, but claimed both had been undermined over time. Kumaraswamy warned the government against provoking farmers and pledged that JD-S would continue its agitation peacefully. 'I will not allow injustice to the Bidadi farmers under any circumstances. As long as I am alive, I will stand with them and fight for their rights,' he declared. The protest signals an intensifying political battle over land acquisition in Karnataka's peri-urban belt ahead of future electoral cycles.
Point of View
If followed up rigorously, could put the government on the back foot well beyond this protest.
NationPress
18 Aug 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the Bidadi Township Project that JD-S is protesting against?
The Bidadi Township Project is a proposed development initiative in the Bidadi area near Bengaluru that involves land acquisition from local farmers. JD-S and affected farmers allege that the state government is acquiring fertile agricultural land in collusion with private interests, offering inadequate compensation of around ₹3 crore per unit for land previously valued much higher.
What did H.D. Kumaraswamy allege against Chief Minister Shivakumar?
Kumaraswamy alleged that Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar and the Karnataka government were colluding with private and benami companies to acquire and exploit farmers' land worth thousands of crores through the Bidadi Township and NICE projects. He also accused Shivakumar of hypocrisy, alleging a double standard between land advice given to residents of Kanakapura and the treatment of Bidadi farmers.
What is the NICE project and why is it controversial?
NICE (Nandi Infrastructure Corridor Enterprises) is associated with the Bangalore-Mysore Infrastructure Corridor Project (BMICP). Kumaraswamy alleged that agreements governing NICE were violated, that publicly acquired land was mortgaged to raise funds, and that some land was diverted for private apartment projects — claims that he said were also noted in Karnataka High Court observations.
Who attended the JD-S protest at Freedom Park?
Former Prime Minister H.D. Deve Gowda, JD-S youth wing president Nikhil Kumaraswamy, several party leaders, and thousands of farmers from villages around Bidadi attended the rally at Freedom Park in Bengaluru on 18 August.
What has JD-S demanded from the Karnataka government?
JD-S has demanded that the government review a report by a committee headed by Congress leader T.B. Jayachandra, return NICE-controlled land to farmers if it has not been used for its intended purpose, and engage in an open public debate on the Bidadi Township and NICE projects. The party has also pledged to continue its agitation peacefully.
