Is the Cong Govt Plotting to Seize Rs 7,000 Cr Land from Dalits?

Bengaluru, June 27 (NationPress) The Karnataka BJP has accused the government of orchestrating a plot to dispossess Dalits of land valued at Rs 7,000 crore, situated near the tech park in Mahadevapura, Bengaluru, aiming to convert it into profit-making capital.

Chalavadi Narayanaswamy, the Leader of Opposition in the Karnataka Legislative Council, made these claims during a press conference held at his office in Vidhana Soudha on Thursday.

He stated: “The contested land may have originally been forest land, but following its reclassification as revenue land, it was distributed to Dalits by the Revenue Department. Portions have even been allocated to the Railways and the Karnataka Industrial Area Development Board (KIADB).

“I urge the Chief Minister, alongside the Revenue Minister, Industries Minister, and Forest Minister, to convene an immediate meeting with title deed holders and halt operations by the forest department. The government must clarify its stance: is it siding with the mafia or with the Dalits? How can land belonging to Dalits be seized so easily?” Narayanaswamy questioned.

“If there’s a true intention, the land should be acquired with proper compensation. This nation is governed by laws, and Dr. B.R. Ambedkar’s esteemed Constitution grants rights to all. Taking away the rights of legal heirs is unfair. This is merely a betrayal of Dalits by the government,” he lamented, cautioning that a statewide protest would follow.

Narayanaswamy alleged that mafias affiliated with the government are targeting lands largely inhabited by Dalits.

“The land is appraised between Rs 40 and Rs 70 crore per acre. Mafias eye nearly Rs 6,000 to Rs 7,000 crore worth of land. The government is supporting these mafias and misusing the police to intimidate citizens,” he claimed.

The disputed land is located in front of a tech park, and Narayanaswamy noted that a court has issued directives against demolishing any structures on the site.

“The government cannot bear the thought of Dalits becoming affluent,” he remarked.

The BJP leader further alleged that when Dalits protested, they were taken into police custody. “Why does this government show such indifference towards Dalits?” he queried.

He mentioned that approximately 2,000 houses housing over 5,000 residents — predominantly poor Dalit farmers — are affected.

“It appears that this is being done because reclaiming the land would be simpler. This is despite ongoing court cases and stay orders,” he said.

Narayanaswamy also claimed that former MP S. Muniswamy was arrested when he attempted to intervene.

Explaining the history of the matter, he noted, “In the early 1950s, the government allocated around 711 acres of land in the Kadugodi area of Bidarahalli Hobli in the Mahadevapura constituency of Bengaluru Urban district to local farmers.

The BJP MLC continued, “Since then, they have cultivated the land. Some plots were even leased. Records show 677.3 acres are currently documented, and according to Column 9 of the Pahani records, 719 acres exist. Although it is claimed that the land was previously forest under royal governance, the Revenue Department distributed it through the Kadugodi Cooperative Society in 2, 3, and 4-acre parcels to farmers.”

Now, due to soaring land prices, the government is trying to reclassify the area as forest land again. “They are suddenly asserting it is encroached land,” Narayanaswamy stated.

He presented Pahani documents from the 1950s, demonstrating that title deeds were issued and taxes were paid.

Despite all legal evidence, the government is acting contrary to established records. Presently, 60 acres and 30 guntas are under the Forest Department, he added.

The government has also allocated 153.28 acres to KIADB, 228.31 acres to the Railways, about 3 acres to a temple (which houses an Indira Canteen), 20 acres for housing, 13.03 acres for roads, 2.5 acres for a crematorium, and 32 acres for residential layouts (which also hosts a police station). Additionally, 125 acres are under agricultural use, and 44.36 acres (approximately 45 acres) were allotted to Metro. “If this land genuinely belonged to the Forest Department, how were all these allocations possible?” he challenged.

Narayanaswamy asserted that numerous residents sought legal recourse, which instructed maintaining the status quo. “These are residential zones, yet structures are being demolished despite numerous court orders. Women are being forcibly handled by male officers, with only 7-8 female officers available for thousands of women. What kind of brutality is this?” Narayanaswamy questioned, also displaying related videos.

When officials were informed that the matter is under judicial review, they responded, “We have been assigned a task by the government, and we will execute it.” Narayanaswamy vehemently opposed this statement.

Narayanaswamy called for an investigation and urged the government to publish a white paper on the issue, covering the period from 1950 to the present.

“Clarify what has transpired during each period. On what basis were lands allocated to KIADB, Metro, Railways, and others? If these orders originated from the government, then the responsibility lies with the government. Initially, return the land allocated to KIADB,” he insisted.

He noted that there were more police officers than protesters present at the location.

“They are intimidating the populace. There’s also a police station, Metro facility, KIADB site, and private factories here. Factory owners have purchased land. Two factories have even approached the Supreme Court, which ruled that the land cannot be disturbed. So, if the court issues an order, does forest land automatically transition into private land?” he queried.

Former MP S. Muniswamy was also present during the press conference.