Davanagere
The Bharatiya Janata Party has announced a major protest in Davanagere on August 28, claiming that the state government’s decision to ban gutka has adversely affected areca nut growers across Karnataka.
Former minister M.P. Renukacharya said BJP workers and areca growers would organise a padayatra from all taluks of Davanagere district from 9 a.m. on August 26. The agitation will culminate in a major protest outside the Assistant Commissioner’s office in Davanagere at 11 a.m. on August 28, followed by a proposed gherao of the office.
Questioning the government’s health-related justification, Renukacharya asked why products such as cigarettes and alcohol, which are also harmful to health, were not being discussed in the same manner. He said the government should consider the economic impact of the decision on farmers before implementing measures affecting the areca market.
Meanwhile, BJP MLA from Thirthahalli Araga Jnanendra met Deputy Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar and urged the government to protect areca growers from the impact of the gutka ban. Jnanendra said Karnataka accounts for nearly 70 per cent of the country’s areca nut production and described it as an important commercial crop for the state.
Jnanendra said he requested the government not to implement measures that could adversely affect growers. According to him, Shivakumar assured that the interests of farmers would be protected and that steps would be taken to ensure they do not face difficulties. The Deputy Chief Minister also reportedly assured that a meeting would be convened to discuss the concerns of areca growers.
The BJP has urged farmers across the state to join the campaign and intensify pressure on the government to safeguard the areca nut sector.
