Pics: Spoorthi Ullal
Daijiworld Media Network - Mangaluru (SP)
Mangaluru, Sep 28: The Karnataka bandh call given by various organisations to protest against some changes recently made by the central and state government relating to agriculturists which they have termed as harmful for the interests of the farmers, continued to get disappointing response in the district.
Like-minded organisations came together in the city and held a protest opposite the mini Vidhana Soudha at Hampankatta. The protesters raised slogans against the central and state governments.
Protest
APMC yard
The protest is backed by farmer unions. Youth, women and labour organizations, DYFI, CITU and Dalit organisations with the support of the Congress, CPI(M), and JD(S) parties. The police have been keeping a close vigil on the developments.
District farmer's association leader Krishnappa Salian said, "The government has no concern towards farmers. The Agricultural Bill will protect the investors and multinational companies. The government has snatched away our rights without holding any discussion before amending the Act. The Act will make us to quit agriculture. Chief minister B S Yediyurappa has taken oath in the name of famers by wearing green shawl and the government has shown that it is against the farmers.”
Former MLC Ivan D'Souza said, "All the organisations have joined hands in the protest against the government for passing Agricultural Bills. The law was amended without any consultation or discussion. The government is favouring the investors and destroying the economic source of farmers. The law will make way for investors and shut door of farmers and snatch their livelihood.
“If the law was correct and favouring the farmers, why did Harsimrat Kaur Badal resigned from Narendra Modi cabinet? This indicates that there is no support for the Agricultural Bills within the cabinet. Chief minister Yediyurappa has taken oath in the name of farmers and the state government has now betrayed the farmers.”
District Hasiru Sene leaders Ravikirana Punacha, Oswald Prakash Fernandes, JD(S) leader Sumathi Hegde, Congress leaders Santhosh Kumar Shetty, Sadashiva Ullal, PV Mohan, District Congress Mahila Morcha president Shalet Pinto, J Balakrishna, Karunakara, Jayanthi Shetty and others were present.
Even though major objection of the protesters is against the amendments brought to the Agricultural Produce Market Committee (APMC) act, the APMC market here seemed to be disinterested in the agitation call. Business is as usual at the APMC market. In a nutshell, the bandh call in the district did not get solid support in Dakshina Kannada district.