RCU Officials Hold Marathon Meeting with Angry Farmers in Hirebagewadi
Rani Channamma University (RCU) vice-chancellor Prof CM Thayagaraja and registrar Santosh Kamagouda spent over two and a half hours with upset farmers in Hirebagewadi on Monday. They listened carefully to the farmers' complaints and managed to convince them to cooperate.
Farmers Voice Strong Resentment Over University Works
The farmers expressed deep anger towards the university authorities. They said road construction, borewell drilling, and drainage work happened on their farmlands without asking them first.
They claimed dust from the temporary road and uncontrolled water flow damaged their crops. Unscientific marking for a new road also created fear of losing their land.
For the past four days, farmers stopped pipeline work that supplies water to the new university campus. The campus is almost complete.
VC Inspects Site on Farmer's Two-Wheeler
Prof Thayagaraja traveled to the site on a farmer's two-wheeler. He inspected the ongoing works personally. Despite clear anger among the farmers, the VC and registrar stayed calm. They listened patiently to every grievance.
Prof Thayagaraja assured the farmers no injustice would happen. He noted farmers largely cooperated with the project so far. He appealed for continued understanding.
He also said the new campus will likely open by the end of March. Academic classes there should start from the coming academic year. A grand statue of Rani Chennamma will also come up at the university.
Registrar Announces Concrete Road Plan
Registrar Santosh Kamagouda told farmers a 20-foot-wide cement concrete road construction will begin in twenty days. This should solve the dust problem. Until then, vehicles must keep speed below 20 kmph to reduce dust.
He assured no farmer's land will face encroachment. Steps will also prevent stormwater from the nearby hill from flowing into farmlands.
Farmers Submit Joint Petition
In a joint petition to the VC, farmers clarified they do not oppose the university or development. Their petition stated development should not be built on farmers' tears. Their main issue was the lack of consultation before work started.
