Karnataka Govt’s Violent Crackdown on Farmers’ Protest Over Foxconn Land Acquisition Sparks Outrage

Devanahalli, Karnataka: In a troubling display of state repression, the Karnataka government has come under fire for violently dispersing a peaceful protest against forced land acquisition in Channarayapatna Hobli, Devanahalli Taluk. Organised by Samyukta Horata Karnataka, the protest was met with a brutal lathi charge, resulting in multiple injuries and the detention of several key leaders, including representatives from farmers’ unions, civil society organisations, and the Communist Party of India (Marxist) (CPI M).
The CPI M has strongly condemned the incident, accusing the state government of attempting to silence democratic dissent through force and intimidation. The party emphasised that the protest aimed to highlight the plight of farmers facing unjust land acquisition and to demand fair compensation and transparency in the process.
This confrontation comes amid the development of Foxconn’s $2.5 billion dollars “Project Elephant” factory in Devanahalli. While the project is projected to create 40,000 jobs and stimulate regional economic growth, it has also raised serious concerns about displacement, lack of consent, and opaque land deals.
In response, the CPI M has called for statewide protests on June 26, urging citizens to stand in solidarity with affected communities and hold the government accountable. The party has directed its district committees to organise demonstrations across Karnataka, demanding justice for the displaced farmers and a halt to coercive acquisition practices.