In Halligudi alone, the prominent village in the project area, there are six women’s SHGs which have convinced the women that retaining the land has long-term benefits than selling it for an immediate windfall.
But, what is causing consternation to those fighting to protect the fertile lands is the fact that not all farmers are vociferous in their opposition to the acquisition.
Gowramma Mevundi cannot contain her anger: “The men can sell our the lands only after our deaths”. Says Dyamavva: “Once the money is got, it will be spent on various indulgences. What will be our fate thereafter?”
The women have no doubt whatsoever that selling the land would do no good to the families. It is this thought that has pushed them to the forefront of the agitation.
Halligudi in the taluk is famous for its white jowar fields spread over 4,000 acres. It is one village where maize and cattle fodder were grown even in times of scanty rainfall.
The granaries in the farmers’ homes are full most of the time. Farmers can be found selling the crop on the side of the highway leading to Hospet.
Though Mundaragi is considered drought-prone, Halligudi which is on its periphery has always been an exception.
Not just the white maize, the other crops too have always seen a good harvest. But of late, the farmers in this village too are looking for other ventures.
Even as the land acquisition issue hots up, leaders of political parties barring the BJP, are jumping onto the anti-land acquisition bandwagon. A ‘defeated’ Congress candidate is among them.
The farmers feel that the politicians should cede the leadership of the struggle to religious figures such as Thontada Siddalinga Swami and Annadanishwara Swami.
The seers say that the firms will go back on their promise of providing jobs to members of families losing land.
‘Divide and rule’
But all is not well within the farming community. Farmers owning more than 10 acres feel that the project need not be opposed if the land can fetch good rates.
Those who hold the view are hesitant to come out in the open, as the Thontada seer, who is widely respected in the area, is opposed to the land acquisition.
Farmers in favour of giving away land are to be found in Mevundi, Jantli, Shirur, Lakkundi and Harlapura, says farmer leader Shivappa. There are also farmers who see parting with the land becoming inevitable, if the pressure gets too much. “Why should we oppose if we get Rs 25 lakh per acre and a job for one person in the family,” say farmers like Shankarappa Thindi, Basavaraju and Hussain Sab.
“Party, caste everything is involved here. Some vested interests are trying to lure the farmers with money offers. Farmers must learn a lesson seeing the plight of their brethren who lost their lands for Almatti project.
Showing unity in front of the seers and then indulging in groupism to sell away land will amount to betraying one’s own self,” said Y N Goudara, chairman of the State Sheep and Wool Development Corporation.
A youth BJP leader in Lakkundi said some of his party workers were “working like agents to divide the farmers and weaken the struggle”.
Even as the farmers have left everyone guessing, questions are being raised whether the three firms planning to set up steel plants in Gadag district need more than 7,000 acres of land or whether the government has a secret pact with the firms to provide water from the Singatalur lift irrigation project. The industrial area development board office in Dharwad doesn’t seem to have the answers.