Archive · 9 Aug 2026
JD(S), BJP begin joint march against GBIT land acquisition
Farmers in Karnataka are worried because the government wants to take their farmland to build a big new township called GBIT near a place called Bidadi.
Many people think the farmers should be able to keep the land where they grow food.
So two political parties, JD(S) and BJP, decided to walk together to show they are upset.
They started a long walking protest called a padayatre, which goes from Byramangala to Freedom Park in the city of Bengaluru.
The walk is about 38 kilometres long and will last for three days.
The walkers are shouting 'Our land, our right.'
The government says it will not force anyone to give up their land, and farmers who do not want to sell can keep farming.
A special committee has been formed to study the project and give its report within 30 days.
Everyone is waiting to see what the committee decides.
JD(S) and BJP launched a three-day joint padayatre from Byramangala near Bidadi to Freedom Park in Bengaluru, covering about 38 km, opposing land acquisition for the GBIT project.
The march was flagged off by Union Minister H D Kumaraswamy and Karnataka Assembly opposition leader R Ashoka, and is led by JD(S) youth wing president Nikhil Kumaraswamy.
Protesters raised slogans such as 'Namma Bhoomi, Namma Hakku' (Our land, our right), accusing the government of promoting real estate interests and filing false cases against farmers.
The Karnataka government has formed a four-member high-level committee headed by retired High Court judge Justice Guhanathan Narendar to review the project, with a report due within 30 days.
Final notifications have been issued for acquiring more than 5,400 acres across seven villages, while sources say the project requires 9,600 acres across 25 villages.
- Who
- JD(S) and BJP leaders and workers, including Union Minister H D Kumaraswamy, Karnataka Assembly opposition leader R Ashoka and JD(S) youth wing president Nikhil Kumaraswamy, protesting against the state government led by Chief Minister D K Shivakumar.
- What
- A three-day joint foot march opposing the acquisition of farmers' land for the Greater Bengaluru Integrated Township (GBIT) project near Bidadi.
- When
- Began on August 9 (a Sunday), ahead of the Karnataka Legislature monsoon session starting August 13.
- Where
- From Byramangala near Bidadi to Freedom Park in Bengaluru, Karnataka.
- Why
- To protest the acquisition of fertile farmland for the proposed GBIT project, which marchers say serves real estate interests and suppresses farmers.
Protesting alliance (JD(S), BJP) and farmers
Karnataka state government
Acquisition of farmland for GBIT
Protesting alliance (JD(S), BJP) and farmers
The acquisition takes fertile agricultural land to promote real estate interests and commissions, and farmers are being suppressed through false cases.
Karnataka state government
The government will not forcibly acquire anyone's land; farmers unwilling to part with their land are free to continue farming.
Review of the project
Protesting alliance (JD(S), BJP) and farmers
Protesters continue their marches because the government is pushing acquisition despite widespread opposition from farmers.
Karnataka state government
A high-level committee has been formed to review opinions and feedback, and further decisions will be based on its recommendations.
- Project
- Greater Bengaluru Integrated Township (GBIT), projected as India's 'first AI-powered integrated township'
- Protest
- Three-day padayatre covering about 38 km from Byramangala to Freedom Park, Bengaluru
- Land acquisition
- Final notifications issued for more than 5,400 acres across seven villages
- Project land requirement
- 9,600 acres across 25 villages (per party sources)
- Review committee head
- Retired High Court judge Justice Guhanathan Narendar; report due within 30 days
- Chief Minister assurance
- D K Shivakumar said land will not be forcibly acquired and unwilling farmers can keep farming
- Earlier protest
- 11-km JD(S) march on June 21 from Kanchagaranahalli to Hosur Village near Bidadi
- Karnataka Legislature session
- Monsoon session begins August 13
