Leaders of farmers’ groups and civil society on Friday began an indefinite sit-in in front of the Koppal City Municipal Council complex, demanding removal of several polluting industries whose expansion, they alleged, had damaged farmland, contaminated drinking water, and threatened local livelihoods.The joint action was organised by the Koppal District Bachao Andolana and the Parisara Hitarakshana Vedike and was directed against the proposed expansion and operations of Baldota, Kirloskar, Kalyani, Mukand Sumi, and Xindia Steels Limited. The protest began with floral tributes to Mahatma Gandhi and Dr. B.R. Ambedkar before moving into the Dharna that the organisers said would continue until their environmental and livelihood concerns were addressed.Badagalapura Nagendra, State president of the Karnataka Rajya Raitha Sangha (KRRS), said that the idea that factories automatically create prosperity was a misconception. “Investment alone cannot shape people’s lives. In Ballari, big industries came in and the promises did not translate into secure livelihoods; companies have begun to cut jobs. Health and life come before employment,” he said, arguing that economic figures cannot substitute for clean air, water, and safe crops.Honorary president of the KRRS Chamarasa Malipatil said that smoke and dust from the factories in Koppal district had already ruined yields and rendered crops unsafe. “The smoke and dust from these factories have destroyed crops and made them toxic. Large quantities of water are being drawn from local rivers, leaving farmers without irrigation for the second crop. Even drinking water has become contaminated,” he said, urging spiritual leader Gavishiddheshwara Mahaswami, the head of Gavimath in Koppal, to continue his support to the agitation against the polluting industries.Jyoti M. Gondabal, district Mahila Congress president, described the development as a national shame that people had to again resort to street protests even 75 years after Independence. “Gandhiji freed us from colonial rule, and Dr. Babasaheb gave us the right to live with dignity. We must come together and fight for our right to a healthy life,” she said.Senior writer Allamaprabhu Bettaduru, who chaired the meeting, said the movement was determined and rooted in local memory of past victories. “We must understand that projects costing hundreds of crores are often for corporate profit and not for our upliftment. We fought before without the help of politicians or large numbers, and we won. We will win again,” he said.Hundreds of residents, writers, activists and local leaders participated in the agitation, including A.M. Madari, Shashikala, K.B. Gonal, D.H. Poojar, Manjunath Gondabal, and others. Protesters had earlier raised slogans at Ashoka Circle and marched to the municipal complex.Published - November 02, 2025 06:52 pm IST