Farmers’ groups protested outside the Mysuru deputy commissioner’s office on Thursday against the state government’s decision to hold an elaborate Dasara celebration during drought conditions, alleging that public money was being spent on events and works instead of supporting affected cultivators.
Members of the Karnataka Rajya Raitha Sangha’s Raitha Faction took out a procession from the Chamundi Guest House. The protesters later garlanded the statues of Dr B.R. Ambedkar and actor Rajkumar at the Pura Bhavan premises before proceeding towards the deputy commissioner’s office.
The protest became tense near the office steps after police allegedly prevented the farmers from sitting there, beating drums and bringing a food van inside the premises. The report said an argument broke out between the protesters and police during the confrontation.
The farmers’ organisation said the state was facing a severe drought and that crops cultivated after farmers took loans had dried up in fields. It criticised the government for providing farmers with a compensation amount of ₹2,500, claiming that the sum would not cover even one day’s interest on their loans.
The organisation demanded compensation of ₹25,000 per acre for dryland farms and ₹50,000 per acre for irrigated land, calculated on a scientific assessment of crop losses. It also sought a complete loan waiver for farmers across Karnataka.
The protesters specifically objected to spending on events linked to the Mysuru Dasara celebrations, including Kambala, Cauvery Aarti and the participation of film actors. They alleged that crores of rupees in taxpayers’ money were being wasted while farmers faced financial distress, and argued that the expenditure should instead have been directed to drought relief.
The farmers’ group also alleged that Dasara-related works being carried out in Mysuru in haste were of poor quality. It demanded a Lokayukta investigation into the works. The report did not mention any response from the district administration or the state government to the allegations and demands.
State president of the organisation, Ingalaguppe Krishnegowda, farmer leaders Beerappa Deshanur, Basavanagowda and Chinkurali Somegowda, and retired deputy superintendent of police Nanjappa were among those who participated in the protest.