"Raitha MakkaLa Bruhath Samavesha" organised by the Yuvashakti at the Freedom Park in Bangalore on March 14th, Saturday got a stupendous response from the people of Kolar-Chickaballapur and the rural districts of Bangalore. It was put-up to protest the injustice meted out to the parched districts of Chickaballapur- Kolar by the government and invoke awareness among concerned authorities and general public who have failed to look beyond the cosmopolitan Bengaluru city. The Chief Minister had announced his budget the previous day and had just allocated a very marginal amount towards studying a feasible solution for the persisting water problem under the title "Bayaluseeme Neeravari Yojaneya Adhyayanakkaagi". And the Bayaluseeme covers almost 11 districts in Karnataka according to the Bayaluseeme Development Act of 1994(link) . It is quite evident that the government has turned a blind eye on the continuous agitation that has been going on in the draught affected areas. The 'Shashvata Neeravari Horata Samiti' Activists, the farmers, businessmen, IT professionals and self employed doctors, engineers and advocates flocked in hoards at the Freedom Park, and finally there was a sea of people raising their voice demanding a permanent solution for their water woes. They dared the scorching morning sun and demanded for their right in unison. Their blazing adrenaline was clearly evident from their intense faces. Everyone stood-up when Sri. Munireddy sang the farmer song "ಉಳುವ ಯೋಗಿಯ ನೋಡಲ್ಲಿ (link) " written by Shri. Kuvempu. He also sang couple of other songs relating to the farmer's issues.When Mr Shivaprakash Reddy welcomed them to the meet crying out "ನಮ್ಮ ರಕ್ತವನ್ನು ಚೆಲ್ಲುತ್ತೇವೆ , ನೀರನ್ನು ಪಡೆಯುತ್ತೇವೆ " the crowd raised in frenzy with anger for the injustice meted out to them by the successive governments. Mr Vijaykumar Reddy convened the program by calling out the speakers on to the stage and also managed the task of pacifying the frenzy crowd in-between.
When there were over sixty thousand people assembled at the agitation venue, how could our politicos stay far away! The politicians, mostly the MLAs, MP, MLC and a former Deputy-CM, made a beeline to the Freedom Park to show their solidarity 'at this moment'. In the opening speech Mr. Kodihalli Chandrashekar, President, Karnataka Raitha Sangha, was critical about the momentary solidarity shown by the elected representatives. He ridiculed all previous and the present government for not having far fetched vision for solving the problems of the farmers. He said implementing Paramashivayya Report is the best remedy for the water woes. Mr Anjaneya Reddy, president, Shashvata Neeravari Horaata Samithi, in his speech said, "the farmers and the citizens have been agitating and also did a 'paadayatre' for several weeks in the affected areas, activists are on 'dharani' from past few weeks, but the politicians did not relate to the cause and did not involve themselves for the people's cause." He pointed out at the politicians sitting in the front row in the summer heat and said "if at all you were responsive to the people's agony, you would've got a place on the stage. Sorry to say this, you have all disappointed us. If you can't respond and relate to the people's problems, kindly tender your resignations." The crowd seconded his words by applauding his straight talk. Mr.Mallur Harish, slammed the so called environmentalists for their objectionistic nature to halt the projects that could address the problems of the people. He cautioned the government that the agitation will be intensified if the government remains passive to the sufferings of the farmers of Chickaballapur-Kolar districts.
And when it was the turn of the politicians to speak Mr Ramesh Kumar, MLA, Srinivaspur, came on to the stage and he clearly expressed his displeasure that the state budget had not allocated any fund to solve the problems of the twin districts Chickaballapur-Kolar. He said he was ready to resign from his seat if at all that would help to resolve the issue. He reassured that he would always stand by the agitators and also said that all the elected representatives cutting across all parties of the two districts were ready to quit their positions if the need arises- for the cause. Listening to his polished words of diplomacy the people wondered why he was speaking on behalf of all the politicians, some of whom have never shown real intent to address this age old water crisis. And as he got down from the stage all the other politicians sitting in the front row got up, and were ready to leave as though their job was over. Suddenly, a voice from the loud-speaker urged them not to leave the venue without listening to other speakers and to that the crowd roared. The politicians had to obediently sit back on their chairs. Shri Nanjaavaduta Swamiji spoke in length on the plight of the farmers due to the insufficient rainfall and pujya swamiji also condemned the inefficiency of the government representatives in handling the draught situation. He alerted the politicians that if the same attitude continues people will 'tie the politicians to the polls and use whip to teach them a lesson'. After few other eminent speakers speech on the issue all the politicians walked till the LH(Legislative House) on the pretext of submitting a memorandum to the CM.
