Belagavi Farmers Stage Protest, Halt RCU Campus Development Work
Farmers from Hirebagewadi in Belagavi district took a strong stand on Wednesday. They staged a protest that effectively stopped all work on laying a crucial water pipeline. This pipeline was meant for the proposed new campus of Rani Channamma University (RCU). The farmers raised serious allegations about the unauthorized use of their agricultural land. They also highlighted the complete lack of compensation for the damages they have suffered.
New Campus Nears Completion Amid Rising Tensions
The new RCU campus is located approximately 3 kilometers from the busy Pune-Bengaluru National Highway-48 in Belagavi taluk. Construction is reportedly in its final stages, with the campus nearing completion. Chief Minister Siddaramaiah is likely to inaugurate the facility by the end of March. Currently, the university uses a 20-foot wide dirt road to access the construction site. Authorities later widened this road to allow for better vehicular movement.
However, this action sparked the initial conflict. Local farmers claim the road-widening work was executed without their knowledge or consent. More importantly, they state that no compensation was provided for the land used. The widened road has led to a significant increase in heavy traffic along that stretch.
Dust Pollution Causes Severe Agricultural and Livestock Damage
The protest is not just about land. Farmers complain that the constant heavy traffic is generating severe dust pollution. This dust is directly damaging their crops and livelihoods. Several cauliflower growers came forward with specific grievances. They claimed their dust-covered produce is being outright rejected in local markets, leading to heavy financial losses.
The problem extends to livestock as well. Farmers report that their animals are refusing to consume fodder that has become laden with dust from the road. This dual impact on both crop yield and animal health has intensified local anger and frustration.
Pipeline Work Without Permission Ignites Final Straw
The protest reached a boiling point when RCU authorities began new work on the site. Farmers allege that the university started drilling borewells and laying water pipelines directly through their farmlands. Crucially, they say this was done without seeking any permission from the landowners.
Enraged by this move, the farmers physically stopped the pipeline-laying work. They issued a clear warning. No further construction activity would be permitted on their lands until the university's Vice-Chancellor personally visits the site. They demand he come and address their long list of grievances directly.
University's Response and Farmers' Firm Stand
Following the protest, RCU Registrar Santosh Kamagouda spoke to the farmers over the phone. He provided an assurance. He stated that Vice-Chancellor Prof C M Thyagaraja would indeed visit the site on January 19 to discuss the issues.
Despite this communication, the farmers remain adamant. They have refused to allow work to resume based on a verbal promise alone. They insist on receiving concrete, written assurances regarding compensation and a formal resolution to their complaints. The farmers have also expressed strong opposition to what they call the alleged diversion and fresh marking of the access road through their properties, again done without their consent.
The situation in Hirebagewadi remains tense. The completion of the prestigious RCU campus now hinges on a satisfactory resolution between the university administration and the aggrieved farming community.
