Karnataka Bandh September 28 Highlights: Ready to make changes for benefit of farmers, says CM Yediyurappa

Pro-farmer organisations backed by a number of other social and political outfits on Monday staged protests across Karnataka over amendments to Agricultural Produce Marketing Committee Act and land reform acts amid a statewide bandh.

Farmers, labourers, pro-Kannada activists, and Dalit organisations hit the streets in support of the bandh while thousands of farmers gathered at Mysuru Bank circle and in front of Town Hall in Bengaluru, throwing traffic haywire.

Several Congress and JD(S) workers who gathered at Myuru Bank circle were detained and taken in BMTC buses to City Armed Reserve (CAR) headquarters and KSRP Parade Ground in Madiwala.

Karnataka Chief Minister B S Yediyurappa clarified that the government was not shutting down APMCs. "... We are only giving you complete independence so that you can sell at the APMC or sell it where they get the good price. This is a historic decision. I appeal to our farmers' associations that whoever is misleading you,just wait for six months or a year. All the hassles in selling your produce will go," he added. 

Regarding the amendment to the KLR Act, the Chief Minister said there were about 18 lakh-20 lakh acres of barren land and after this amendment, anyone can do farming.

Karnataka Chief Minister B S Yediyurappa on Monday expressed his willingness to talk to farmer leaders, as ryots staged demonstrations in several parts of the state during the Karnataka Bandh on Monday against two bills.

The Chief Minister's reaction came as pro-farmer organisations backed by a number of other social and political outfits including the Congress today called for a state-wide Bandh against the amendments to the Agricultural Produce Marketing Committee Act (APMC) Act and Karnataka Land Reforms (KLR) Act passed by the State Assembly.

"I want to tell the farmer leaders that conduct the agitation today but later come, sit with us and have a discussion. I am always ready to make changes for the benefit of farmers," the Chief Minister told a a press conference. He said that the amendment to the APMC Act will enable farmers to sell their produce wherever they wish. They can sell either in the APMC or sell it directly to anyone in any part of the state and the country, he explained.

"There was a time when cases were registered against farmers for selling their produce from one district to another district. We are removing these restrictions on farmers to sell their produce anywhere," the Chief Minister said.

DMK and its allies hit the streets in Chennai, Coimbatore, Madurai, Tiruchirappalli and Tirunelveli among other places across Tamil Nadu on Monday, protesting the three farm sector legislations, with chief M K Stalin saying his party was ready to challenge the Centre's contentious move in court.

Addressing a demonstration at a village in neighbouring Kancheepuram district as part of the state-wide protest, Stalin alleged the new laws would drive farmers away from their lands. Kerala was readying to approach the Supreme Court against the laws and Tamil Nadu government should follow suit and if this does not happen, "we (DMK) as an opposition party are ready to go to court on behalf of farmers and the people," he said.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi had often said that he was the son of a poor mother and "this son of a poor mother is now making a large number of Indians poor" the DMK chief charged. Attacking Tamil Nadu Chief Minister Edappadi K Palaniswami, he said though the AIADMK leader took pride in calling himself a farmer, the lives of the royts have "taken a hit" only after he assumed power. Stalin alleged farmers would be driven out of their own lands and their lives shall go backward.

After consultations with allies, the next course of action like further protests against the farm laws would be decided, he said.

Senior Congress MLA H K Patil on Monday said he had tested positive for coronavirus.

"I have been tested positive for #Covid19. I am asymptomatic but quarantined myself for 10 days," Patil, a former minister and Congress in-charge of Maharashtra, tweeted Monday morning. Expressing hope that he would be perfectly alright soon, Patil requested all those who had come in his contact in the last few days to get themselves tested as a precaution.

He is the third MLA to have attended the recently concluded Karnataka Assembly session who tested positive for COVID-19. Prior to him, Deputy Chief Minister Govind Karjol and Gandhinagar MLA Dinesh Gundu Rao tested positive for coronavirus among those who had attended the assembly session recently.

Meanwhile, Congress MP from Thrissur LS constituency in Kerala, TN Prathapan, moves SC challenging constitutionalty of The Farmers' (Empowerment and Protection) Agreement of Price Assurance and Farm Services Act, 2020.

Congress MP from Thrissur LS constituency in Kerala, TN Prathapan, moves SC challenging constitutionalty of The Farmers' (Empowerment and Protection) Agreement of Price Assurance and Farm Services Act, 2020. @IndianExpress

— Ananthakrishnan G (@axidentaljourno) September 28, 2020

BJP's Tejasvi Surya says, "Farmers know that Farm Bills passed by the government is for their welfare. Congress, which is today, protesting against the bills had earlier promised in its manifesto to bring these reforms if it comes to power. But since Modi govt has done it now, Congress is taking u-turn."

Various organisations supporting farmers and the Karnataka Bandh plunged into the protest against the recent amendments to Land Reforms, APMC, Electricity and Labour Acts by the Karnataka government.

The Bengaluru police on Monday afternoon detained protesters who were protesting against amendments to farm laws, APMC and labour laws.

Hundreds of protesters who gathered at Myuru Bank circle are being detained and taken in BMTC buses to City Armed Reserve (CAR) headquarters and KSRP Parade Ground in Madiwala.

The dawn-to-dusk bandh call in Karnataka has been supported by several pro-Kannada and other outfits along with opposition Congress and the JD(S) party, who had also opposed the amendment bills in the assembly.

The bandh is also backed by several labour organisations who are protesting against amendments to certain labour laws during the brief assembly session that concluded on Saturday.

Pro Kannada organisation 'Karnataka Rakshna Vedike' activists barged inside Bengaluru's Kempegowda International Airport to mark their protest, while the Karnataka Rakshna Vedike were detained by police near Kranthiveera Sangolli Rayanna Railway Station in Bengaluru.

Meanwhile, Karnataka Congress leaders Siddaramaiah, Congress State chief DK Shivakumar met the farmers who are on a protest and extended their support to Karnataka Bandh.

In the wake of the protests, Bengaluru Police on Monday requested air travellers to cooperate with police checkpoints along the airport routes. CK Baba, Deputy Commissioner of Police, North East Division, Bengaluru City, said, “Air travellers are requested to cooperate with police checkpoints along the  airport. Please avoid accompanying people to drop passengers. Only passengers with valid ticket or boarding pass are being allowed in the airport today.” The police have also set up checkpoints in all the main roads and highways to stop protesters from entering inside the city.

While public transport in the state ran as usual, traffic in the capital city was disrupted due to the protests. Auto-rickshaws and private cab services in the city were unavailable. Limited shops and other commercial establishments remained open in Bengaluru.

Despite the bandh, state owned public transport bus and metro services are scheduled to operate normally. Deputy Chief Minister Laxman Savadi, who is also the incharge of transport department, on Sunday clarified that services of all the four state road transport corporations and even the Bengaluru Metropolitan Transport Corporation will be available, and the Police Department has been requested to provide additional security.

Amid the ongoing agitation, Chief Minister B S Yediyurappa today said that he had tried to speak to the leaders of various farmers' organisations but in vain. "They have already decided to protest. Being a farmer's son, I am on the farmers' side. These amendments have been brought after long discussions," he said. The CM urged the farmers to wait for six months or a year. "We haven't closed the doors on APMC, you can sell it at APMC or wherever you can get a fair price. I request the farmers to wait for another six months or a year. You'll get to know how it will help you," he said.

The Karnataka government had earlier warned of stern action against any forcible enforcement of the bandh. It said that all necessary steps would be taken to ensure there was no disruption to the normal functioning of its offices, hospitals, shops and establishments and maintaining services of taxis and buses. 

The protests were staged at important locations in Bengaluru, Ramanagara, Mandya, Mysuru, Chamarajanagara, Kolar, Chikkaballapura, Tumakuru, Ballari, Raichur, Chitradurga, Kalaburagi, Yadgir, Vijayapura, Bagalkote, Bidar, Belagavi, Uttara Kannada, Udupi, Dharwad and Davangere among others. In Bengaluru, several agitations were staged in Mysuru Bank circle, Town Hall, Yelahanka and Ballari Road.

In a fresh attack on the Centre, Congress leader Rahul Gandhi today alleged that the agriculture-related laws are a "death sentence" for farmers whose voice has been crushed both inside and outside Parliament. Taking to Twitter, he said: "The agriculture laws are a death sentence to our farmers. Their voice is crushed in Parliament and outside. Here is proof that democracy in India is dead." 

The agriculture laws are a death sentence to our farmers. Their voice is crushed in Parliament and outside.

Here is proof that democracy in India is dead. pic.twitter.com/MC4BIFtZiA

— Rahul Gandhi (@RahulGandhi) September 28, 2020

Karnataka Congress leaders Siddaramaiah, Congress State chief D K Shivakumar met the farmers who are on a protest to extend their support to Karnataka bandh.

IN PICS | #Karnataka Congress leaders @siddaramaiah, Congress State chief @DKShivakumar met the farmers who are on a protest and extended their support to #KarnatakaBandh. @IndianExpress pic.twitter.com/Y9nTQccTWP

— Darshan Devaiah B P (@DarshanDevaiahB) September 28, 2020

Karnataka Rakshana Vedike members were detained by police near Kranthiveera Sangolli Rayanna Railway Station in Bengaluru.

Police have beefed up security across the state and Bengaluru. Bengaluru Police have deployed 12,000 civil police, 47 KSRP, 24 CAR platoons in the city.

#KarnatakaBandh: Karnataka Rakshana Vedike members were detained by police in #Bengaluru @IndianExpress pic.twitter.com/OM4Sj1jhzr

— Darshan Devaiah B P (@DarshanDevaiahB) September 28, 2020

Pro Kannada organisation 'Karnataka Rakshna Vedike' activists barged inside Bengaluru's Kempegowda International Airport to mark their protest against the recent amendments to Land Reforms, APMC, Electricity and Labour Acts by the state government.

Watch: Pro #Kannada organisation protest in front of #Bengaluru Airport. #KarnatakaBandh #FarmBills #FarmersProtest @IndianExpress pic.twitter.com/bz5r9LzM4P

— Darshan Devaiah B P (@DarshanDevaiahB) September 28, 2020

Thousands of farmers unions gathered at Mysuru Bank circle and Town Hall junction in Bengaluru to protest against the land reform bill.

Watch: Farmers and various associations protest against state government amendments to the APMC and land reforms acts at Bengaluru’s Town Hall. @IndianExpress @DarshanDevaiahB pic.twitter.com/jXXjBYt4Ga

— Express Bengaluru (@IEBengaluru) September 28, 2020

Karnataka farmers’ organisations, protesting against the amendments to the APMC and land reforms acts made by the BS Yediyurappa government. Farmers plunged into the protest in Bengaluru, Chikkamagaluru, Chamarajanagar, and other parts of Karnataka.

#KarnatakaBandh: Farmers, protest in #Bengaluru, #Chamarajanagar, #Chikmagalur, and other parts of #Karnataka. @IndianExpress pic.twitter.com/sbIDMV2dj3

— Darshan Devaiah B P (@DarshanDevaiahB) September 28, 2020

Farmers, members of dalit groups, labour unions and others take part in agitations at Bengaluru’s Town Hall protesting amendments to the APMC and land reforms Acts.

#KarnatakaBandh: Farmers, members of dalit groups, labour unions and others take part in agitations at #Bengaluru’s Town Hall protesting amendments to the APMC and land reforms Acts. @IndianExpress pic.twitter.com/Qwngcu2NP5

— Ralph Alex Arakal (@ralpharakal) September 28, 2020

The Bengaluru police on Monday requested air travellers to cooperate with police checkpoints en route airport.The police have set up checkpoints in various roads towards Bengaluru airport due to the ongoing protest by farmers and Karnataka bandh.

A state-wide bandh would be observed in Karnataka on Monday by various farmers’ organisations, protesting the amendments to the APMC and land reforms acts made by the BS Yediyurappa government.

CK Baba, Deputy Commissioner of Police, North East Division, Bengaluru City, said, “Air travellers requested to cooperate with police checkpoints en route airport. Please avoid accompanying people to drop passengers. Only passengers with valid ticket or boarding pass are being allowed in the airport today.”

Police have beefed up security across the state and capital city Bengaluru. "We have not permitted any protests in the city. We will deploy 12,000 civil police, 47 KSRP, 24 CAR platoons in Bengaluru. Senior police officials have been deployed to supervise across the city," Bengaluru City Commissioner Kamal Pant said.

#KarnatakaBandh: #Bengaluru police sets up checkpoints in various roads towards #Bengaluru airport. @IndianExpress pic.twitter.com/O5Rg4ZIn4D

— Darshan Devaiah B P (@DarshanDevaiahB) September 28, 2020

Bengaluru has become an epicentre of terror activities, BJP MP Tejasvi Surya claimed on Sunday and said he had requested Union Home Minister Amit Shah to set up a permanent division of the National Investigation Agency (NIA) in the city.

A day after becoming the president of the BJP’s youth wing, Surya said many terror modules have been busted in Bengaluru, the Silicon Valley of India, in the recent past. The terrorist groups want to use the city as an “incubation centre” for terror activities.

Surya said he had met Shah at the latter’s residence two days ago and emphasised the need to have a well-equipped and sufficiently staffed NIA office to mitigate terror-related activities in Karnataka.

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Equine Biotech, a startup incubated at the Bengaluru based Indian Institute of Science (IISc), has developed an indigenous RT-PCR diagnostic kit called "GlobalTM diagnostic kit," for accurate and affordable diagnosis of COVID-19.

The test kit, based on Reverse Transcriptase Polymerase Chain Reaction (RT-PCR), the gold standard for COVID-19 diagnosis, has been approved for use in authorised COVID-19 diagnostic labs by the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR). The test takes about 1.5 hours to confirm the presence of SARS-CoV-2 in patient samples, according to Utpal Tatu, Professor in the Department of Biochemistry, IISc, and founder of Equine Biotech.

“Our startup has been working on testing for coronavirus infections for many years, even before the COVID-19 pandemic started. This experience has helped us engineer the kit for COVID-19,” says Tatu.

The kit developed by Equine Biotech is an easy-to-use, multiplex RT-PCR kit with 100% specificity, and its run time is relatively short when compared with the kits available in the industry, according to its founders. The company is currently seeking to licence its new COVID-19 test kit and work with med-tech companies and other industries for mass producing, marketing and distribution of these kits, IISc said.

In a marathon session that stretched into the early hours of Sunday, the BJP government in Karnataka managed to pass Bills to modify key land and labour laws through the Assembly amid Opposition walk-outs, but was stymied by the Legislative Council where it does not have a majority.

The amendment to the land law seeks to repeal sections that restrict rights over farmland to only agriculturists and those earning below Rs. 2 lakh per annum. The labour Act amendment, meanwhile, looks to allow industries with up to 300 employees to shut down without government approval—the existing upper limit is 100 workers.

The Opposition Congress called the land reforms amendment a “death warrant” for farmers. The JD(S), however, supported it.

An ordinance promulgated on July 13 to repeal four key sections of the land reforms law which restricted the sale of farmland is still in force in the state.

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Since February, two anonymous letters have surfaced labelling Karnataka Chief Minister B S Yediyurappa’s younger son B Y Vijayendra, 45, as a “Super CM” whose word can seal project clearances and transfers. The second letter, which has signatures purportedly of a few BJP MLAs, suggested that the son’s aides collected a “Vijayendra Service Tax”. This letter was released by Congress leaders in Mysore at the end of August.

The letters coincide with murmurs of growing unhappiness in the BJP over the way the government is being run. There are allegations of corruption and interference in the administration by members of Yediyurappa’s family. The CM has been kept hanging on a Cabinet reshuffle by the BJP’s Delhi leadership.

Off the record, BJP MLAs say Vijayendra, who became a vice-president of the Karnataka BJP two months ago, has emerged as a key player in the government. “There are two CMs in the state. Vijayendra is the de facto CM, Yediyurappa is the de jure CM,” Congress leader and former CM Siddaramaiah said after the second letter emerged. Another former CM, H D Kumaraswamy of the JD-S, has talked of “a bidding process for transferring officials”.

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A state-wide bandh would be observed in Karnataka on Monday by various farmers’ organisations, protesting the amendments to the APMC and land reforms acts made by the B S Yediyurappa government.

The dawn-to-dusk bandh call has been supported by several pro-Kannada and other outfits besides the opposition Congress and the JD(S), who had opposed the amendment bills in the assembly. It is also backed by several labour organisations who are protesting against amendments to certain labour laws during the brief assembly session that concluded on Saturday.

Warning of stern action against any forcible enforcement of the bandh, the state government has said it would take all necessary steps to ensure that there was no disruption to the normal functioning of its offices, hospitals, shops and establishments and maintaining services of taxis and buses. It has defended the bills, saying the measures had been brought with an intention to give freedom to the farmers for selling their produce in any part of the state or country.

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Karnataka bandh called by several farmers organisations on Monday may affect the normal life of people in Bengaluru and other parts of Karnataka, as protestors have planned to take out rallies on roads to oppose the recent amendments to Land Reforms, APMC, Electricity and Labour Acts by the state government. 

Farmers associations, trade unions, various rights groups and organisations, have come together to protest against the amendments. The bandh is also supported by several pro-Kannada outfits and also the opposition Congress and the JD(S).

KSRTC and BMTC buses, metro services are likely to run, while cabs and auto services are likely to be affected in the state. "There will be no disruption in transport services and government buses will run as usual in Karnataka on Monday. Police have been requested to provide additional security in view of the bandh called against the recently passed farm bill tomorrow," Karnataka Deputy CM Laxman Savadi said.

Police have beefed up security across the state and capital city Bengaluru. "We have not given permission for any protests in the city. We will deploy 12,000 civil police, 47 KSRP, 24 CAR platoons in Bengaluru. Senior police officials have been deployed to supervise across the city," Bengaluru City Commissioner Kamal Pant said.

Depending on the situation some shops and establishments are not likely to operate, while government offices, banks, post offices will remain open, along with all essential services and supplies.

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