Blurb: Protesters will pass JK Tyre Gate and NICE Road on August 10, reaching Bengaluru’s outskirts August 11 for a Freedom Park rally.
Ramanagara
The JD(S) and BJP on Sunday began a joint foot march from Bidadi to Bengaluru, demanding the cancellation of the proposed Bidadi Township project. The three-day, 38-km march is being led by JD(S) youth wing president Nikhil Kumaraswamy and will conclude on August 11 on the outskirts of Bengaluru.
The march began from Bairamangala Circle, where farmers have been protesting against the township project. Before launching the programme, Nikhil Kumaraswamy sought the blessings of JD(S) patriarch H D Deve Gowda. Union Minister H D Kumaraswamy, Opposition Leader R Ashoka and other leaders were present at the launch.
The march will proceed from Bairamangala Circle to Sajjan Rao Circle in Bidadi on Sunday evening before joining the NICE Road junction through the highway. On August 10, the protesters will continue through the JK Tyre Gate and NICE Road junction before reaching the outskirts of Bengaluru on August 11. A large public meeting will subsequently be held at Freedom Park.
Organisers expect around 25,000 party workers from the four Assembly constituencies in Bengaluru South district and other areas to attend the concluding event. Farmer groups, Kannada organisations, women leaders and student representatives have also extended support to the march.
The alliance had announced the joint protest after a meeting of leaders from both parties. Ashoka has described the township proposal as a real estate project and said the Opposition would raise the issue during the monsoon session of the state legislature.
The proposed Greater Bengaluru Integrated Township (GBIT) covers around 9,600 acres near Bidadi, about 40 km from Bengaluru. The greenfield project is intended to ease congestion in Bengaluru and has been projected as an AI-powered smart city.
However, farmers from nine villages have strongly opposed the project, fearing loss of their land. The government has said land acquisition will proceed only with the consent of willing farmers and that a committee will study ground realities before further action.
Protesters points
- March started from Bairamangala Circle by farmers and leaders against the township project.
- Nikhil Kumaraswamy sought blessings from H D Deve Gowda before launching the program.
- H D Kumaraswamy and R Ashoka were present at the launch.
- Route covers Bairamangala, Bidadi, NICE Road, and ends at Freedom Park.
- Protesters will march through JK Tyre Gate and NICE Road junction on August 10.
- Concluding event expected to draw 25,000 party workers and diverse local groups.
- Alliance partners call it a joint protest, labeling the proposal a real estate project.
- Opposition plans to raise the township issue during the upcoming legislative monsoon session.