The farmers say they are victims of illegal land grabbing.
The Aroharatri Dharani Satyagraha by the Dalit farmers has entered its 113th day of protest at the Freedom Park in Bengaluru. Farmers are demanding an amendment in the Prohibition of Transfer of Certain Lands Act (PTCL), 1978.
Muniyappa, a farmer from Hosakote said, “Third party agencies have taken over our lands from the government, without us knowing about it.” There are more than 60,000 cases of farmers demanding for their stolen land back, he said.
Another farmer K. Manjunath from Sira taluk, Tumakuru district said, “Thousands of acres of land belonging to the Dalits and Scheduled Tribes (ST), has been illegally seized and wasted.” He added that the government has been completely ignoring their demands.
The farmers at the Satyagraha said that many Dalit organisations have appealed to the government, but did not receive any response.
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PTCL Act, which is being strongly opposed by the Dalit farmers was also questioned by the Supreme Court (SC) in the The Manchegowda Vs Karnataka State case in 1984.
The farmers also stated that even after 75 years of Indian Independence, the Scheduled Castes (SC) and STs are still exploited and are deprived of resources and basic facilities in today’s civilised society.
Manjunath M.H, president of the Dalit farmer’s association said, “The third party agencies ( brokers) had illegally dealt with the government officials and took away our lands. It has affected thousands of farmers all over the state but the government had still not responded.”
Under the PTCL act certain lands are assigned to the Dalit community and these lands cannot be sold to the non-Dalits .The act is relevant till date said Dr.VA Nathan, Director of Social Awareness Society of Youth (SASY). He also added, “It’s the duty of the government to find out and conduct survey so that the lands can be issued back to the original owners.”
