Yogesh K Porwar
“Resolve for Another Farmer Movement Like Mahadayi”
Gadag:Former Chief Minister and incumbent Member of Parliament, Basavaraj Bommai,called upon farmers to draw inspiration from the sacrifices made by fellow farmers and unite once again to bring back a farmer-friendly government in the state.
He was speaking at the 35th Farmers’ Martyrs Day organized by the Karnataka State Farmers’ Association at Soratur village in Gadag taluk on Sunday.
The MP said that Karnataka has a rich history of farmers’ movements, with the Bagar Hukum movement holding a special significance.
Though land reform laws were passed under the revenue department with the slogan “the one who tills the land is its rightful owner,”even after 40–50 years, the process of issuing title deeds has failed,resulting in grave injustice to farmers.
Despite protests under the banner of the Karnataka Rajya Raitha’Sangha,the government did not grant ownership rights.The slogan “the tiller is the owner” remained just a slogan.The killing of three young farmers from Soratur,calling it a dark chapter in history.
Farmers are apolitical :
Bommai said farmers belong to no political party, but every political party claims to represent farmers. Farmers live in uncertainty—not knowing how much it will rain, what yield to expect, or what price they will get.
Several farmers’ organizations exist in Karnataka, but only when they unite can justice truly be delivered to the farmer.
Recalling the Navalgund-Nargund movement of the 1970s and 80s, which was followed by the killing of farmers in Soratur, he said even today, the situation remains unchanged.
Governments have implemented food schemes but pushed food providers into corners. Those who provide food are denied justice.
When he was Chief Minister, he had directed that seeds and fertilizers be maintained as buffer stock each year. This year, due to early rains, maize farmers are demanding urea fertilizer.
The central government has provided the required urea, but there is corruption in the state’s urea distribution system.
Large dealers are selling it on the black market. He visited the Soratur society and found that no fertilizer was supplied to it—it was diverted to large traders.
Farmer-Centric schemes stopped :
The MP said a number of farmer-oriented schemes have stalled in the state.Though the central government promised interest-free loans of up to Rs.5 lakh for farmers,no farmer is receiving it because the state government isn’t facilitating it.
Subsidies on fertilizers and seeds that they had given have been stopped.Diesel subsidies have been discontinued.
They had introduced the Vidyanidhi scheme for the benefit of farmers’ children, but that too has been discontinued. No funds have been allocated for irrigation.
Ryots sacrifices must not be in vain
The CM said the sacrifices of the three brothers from Soratur—Mahalingappa Malleshappa Giddakenchannavar, Channabasappa Nirvahanashettar, and Devalappa Lamani—should not go in vain.
Their sacrifices are a source of inspiration. Farmers must once again unite and bring a farmer-led government to power in the state.
It is time to join hands for the farmer. When the farmer survives, the country survives. A country is considered self-reliant in food when it produces its own. At the time of independence, even with a population of 33 crore, they were importing food.
Today,despite a population of 140 crore, they are self-sufficient in food.This is due to the farmers, who brought about a Green Revolution and fed the nation. A country that is food-self-reliant is a country of self-respect.
Bommai said today, people are unwilling to marry off their daughters to farmers.In Channapatna taluk,the president of the PLD Bank was searching for a bride. The bride’s family, however,chose to give their daughter to a clerk in the same bank rather than to the president—this is the reality.
A Pledge to Fight
The MP said when their pride is hurt, they must all unite, resolve, and raise awareness among farmers to once again bring a farmer-led government in the state.
“Here in Soratur, I am making a firm pledge. I will stand at the forefront of any farmer struggle. The land for the martyrs’ memorial was donated by noble souls.
I will build a proper arch and develop the memorial site. We must not forget those who nurtured us, those who sacrificed for us. S.S. Patil,who established the first cooperative society in Karnataka,organized farmers everywhere.
I had visited Kanaginahal during his centenary. We had requested the government to build a memorial for him, but it did not respond. Eventually, I myself built the memorial. I say this with great pride,” he said.
The former CM said during the Soratur struggle, when firing occurred, respected leaders like B.S.Yediyurappa and S.R.Bommai visited door-to-door offering courage and even sent their vehicles to take people to hospitals. They were raised under the influence of such committed leaders.
The fire still burns within them. Politics cannot be done through words and speeches alone. From now on, he resolves to lead another movement for farmers, for irrigation, for their lives, and for their rights, just like they fought for Kalasa-Banduri.
“I consider today a truly blessed day. I will fight. I take full responsibility to ensure that the sacrifices of the martyrs are not in vain,” he declared.
Bommai recalled a statement by Siddeshwara Swamiji of Bijapur and said a farmer should wear a silk shirt, leather sandals, wrap a handkerchief, and walk into the market with a pocket full of money—only then will this country progress. “I hope such a day comes soon”.
Tributes to Martyrs
On this occasion, floral tributes were offered to the martyrs of the Bagar Hukum movement—late Mahalingappa Malleshappa Giddakenchannavar, Channabasappa Nirvahanashettar, and Devalappa Lamani—who lost their lives on July 27, 1990.
Former minister S.S. Patil, MLC S.V. Sankannur, MLA Dr. Chandru Lamani, BJP district president Raju Kuradagi, KCC Bank president Shivakumaragouda Patil, leader Ravi Dandina, KRRS president Ramanna Kammar, and various gram panchayat presidents, vice presidents, and local leaders were present.
