“Is This a Guarantee Government?” Noor Sridhar Condemns Siddaramaiah’s “Betrayal” on BJP-Era Laws

Siddaramaiah Accused of Betraying Pre-Poll Promises as Key BJP-Era Laws Remain

Bangalore, November 26: The ruling Congress government in Karnataka is facing mounting criticism for its failure to scrap several contentious laws enacted by the previous BJP administration, with opposition leaders and activists condemning the delay as a breach of public trust.

The sharp accusation came from Karnataka Janashakti President Noor Sridhar during a protest organized by ‘Samyukta Horata Karnataka’ in the city’s Freedom Park on Wednesday. The event, dubbed the ‘Bengaluru Chalo’ protest, saw a convergence of farmers, labour rights activists, and civil society members demanding the government fulfill its electoral promises.

“ಮಾತು ತಪ್ಪಿದ ಸಿದ್ದರಾಮಯ್ಯ!” ಬಿಜೆಪಿ ಕಾಲದ ಜನವಿರೋಧಿ ಕಾನೂನುಗಳ ಬಗ್ಗೆ ನೂರ್ ಶ್ರೀಧರ್ ಆಕ್ರೋಶ

A Promise Forgotten?

In a scathing indictment, Sridhar questioned the very foundation of the government’s popular welfare schemes. “This is not a ‘guarantee’ government,” Sridhar declared, his voice echoing the frustration of many attendees. “Our party had promised that if our government came to power, we would revoke all the anti-people laws brought by the BJP government. Siddaramaiah has not kept his word.”

He pointed out that apart from minor amendments to the APMC Act, the majority of the controversial legislation remains in force. “Why is the Siddaramaiah government continuing with these laws?” he demanded, framing the inaction as a fundamental betrayal of the electorate’s mandate.

An Assault on Democracy and Secularism?

The leaders at the protest levelled serious allegations against both the state and central governments, accusing them of systematically undermining democratic institutions.

Sridhar specifically targeted the Sedition law (SIR Act), claiming it is being weaponized “to uproot democracy and ensure opposition parties do not come to power.” He further alleged a targeted disenfranchisement of secular voters, stating, “They are deleting the names of 15% of secular voters from the electoral rolls.”

He also criticized the government’s sluggish response to public movements, citing the Devanahalli land acquisition issue as a prime example. “Activists had to leave their jobs and protest for months just to get the Devanahalli land acquisition revoked. If that’s the case, for the rest of our demands, how many years of struggle will be required?”

Farmers Issue an Ultimatum

The protest also served as a platform for farmer leaders to issue a direct challenge to the state bureaucracy. H.R. Basavarajappa of the Raitha Sangha warned district officials in Ramanagara and Kolar to act with restraint towards farmers.

“The Ramanagara District Commissioner is a servant of a democratic government; he should not act like a representative of the British Raj,” Basavarajappa stated. “If this continues, we will be forced to lay siege to Ramanagara.”

Constitutional Crisis and the Rise of “Monopoly Capitalism”

Adding an academic and economic perspective, Professor Babu Matthew argued that the nation is witnessing a multi-pronged assault on the Indian Constitution. “Attempts are being made to break the unity of farmers and labourers who have faith in the constitution,” he said.

He painted a grim picture of the current economic shift, condemning the “atrocities on common people” and the rise of a new form of “monopoly capitalism.”

“A new breed of capitalists, the Ambanis and Adanis, have emerged. This is monopoly capitalism,” Professor Matthew asserted. He drew a direct link between this economic model and the erosion of democratic freedoms. “If monopoly capital is given more support, it will be impossible to rein in fascism. They will then weaken the constitution.”

“ಜಾತ್ಯತೀತ ಮತದಾರರ ಹೆಸರುಗಳನ್ನ ಶೇ.೧೫ ರಷ್ಟು ಅಳಿಸುತ್ತಿದ್ದಾರೆ… ರಾಜ್ಯದಲ್ಲಿ ಸಿದ್ದರಾಮಯ್ಯ ಏನು ಮಾಡುತ್ತಿದ್ದೀರಿ?”

He reserved his strongest condemnation for the new labour codes, labelling them “deeply inhuman.” “In the future, labourers will not be able to fight a legal battle. If they protest, it will be deemed illegal. Labour organizations will be banned,” he warned, highlighting the potential criminalization of legitimate dissent.

The protest was attended by numerous activists, including Badgalapur Nagendra, U. Basavaraju, Meenakshi Sundaram, and Kumar Samatala, underscoring the wide base of the movement.

Key Demands of Samyukta Horata Karnataka:

• Scrap the Central government’s four Labour Codes and the Shakti Kendra Policy 2025.

• Provide land to ‘Bagair Hukum’ farmers through a one-time settlement scheme.

• The State Government must pass a resolution in the Legislative Assembly rejecting the implementation of these anti-people policies in Karnataka.

• Immediately issue a gazette notification cancelling the Devanahalli land acquisition.

• Permanently protect forest-dwellers from the constant anxiety of eviction.

• Grant land rights to all Adivasis and forest-dwellers; stop the eviction of ‘Bagair Hukum’ farmers.

• Halt the forced acquisition of fertile land in villages like Andhenahalli, Muttenahalli, and Sollepura in Sarjapur Hobli.

• The Central Government must intervene to procure maize at the Minimum Support Price (MSP).