Devanahalli land acquisition rollback, a victory for farmers who resisted temptations: Prakash Raj
Bengaluru: Actor and activist Prakash Raj has hailed the Karnataka government's decision to withdraw the land acquisition process in Devanahalli’s Channarayapatna and surrounding villages as a historic victory for farmers who stood firm against all odds.
Speaking after Chief Minister Siddaramaiah announced the cancellation of the acquisition notification, Prakash Raj said the triumph belonged to those farmers who continually asserted, “We will not sell our land; we will remain farmers.” Describing the movement as historic, he emphasized that the resistance was built on unwavering courage and collective strength.
“This victory is a testament to how governments are compelled to listen when people across society stand in solidarity with even a single protester in a remote corner,” said Prakash Raj. “It proves that even struggles that don’t directly affect us deserve our support if we care about justice.”
The actor, who has actively supported the farmers' agitation, lauded the three-year-long campaign where local farmers rejected all inducements and pressure to give up their land. He noted that most people facing injustice are silenced or ignored, but when even one more person stands with them, it turns into a powerful movement. “That is the essence of this victory—it is a victory of societal conscience,” he said.
Prakash Raj also responded to a media question about Chief Minister Siddaramaiah, calling him a people-centric leader. “Yes, the CM has shown he cares for public concerns. But we must also acknowledge that it took him three years to finally hear the farmers’ voices,” he added.
“Regardless of who is in power or how virtuous they may seem, only when civil society develops the strength to question power can those in power remain virtuous,” Prakash Raj observed. “This farmers’ movement has proven that even good leaders need our pressure and support to stay good.”
This development follows years of resistance by local farmers who opposed the government's plans to acquire land for industrial projects in the Devanahalli region.
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Bangladesh court sentences Sheikh Hasina to 10 years in jail in corruption cases
Dhaka (PTI): A Bangladesh court on Monday sentenced deposed Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina to 10 years in jail in two separate corruption cases related to alleged irregularities in allocations of land in a government housing project.
Dhaka Special Judge’s Court-4 Judge Rabiul Alam handed down the verdicts, sentencing Hasina to a total of 10 years’ imprisonment — five years in each case, state-run BSS news agency reported.
The court sentenced 78-year-old Hasina, her nephew Radwan Mujib Siddiq, and her nieces, Tulip Rizwana Siddiq and Azmina Siddiq, and others in the cases over alleged irregularities in the allocation of plots under the Rajuk New Town Project in Purbachol.
The judgment was pronounced at around 12.30 pm.
Tulip Siddiq was sentenced to four years’ imprisonment — two years in each case — while Radwan Mujib Siddiq and Azmina Siddiq were each sentenced to seven years’ imprisonment in both cases.
Rajuk member Mohammad Khurshid Alam, the only accused to surrender before the court, was sentenced to one year’s imprisonment in each case, totalling two years.
The court also fined all convicted persons Tk1 lakh each and ordered them to serve an additional six months in prison in default of payment.
Hasina has been living in India since she fled Bangladesh on August 5 last year in the face of the massive protests. She was earlier declared a fugitive by the court.
The cases were filed by the Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) over alleged abuse of power in the allocation of two 10-katha plots.
According to the prosecution, the accused manipulated the allocation process and violated existing rules and regulations of the Rajdhani Unnayan Kartripakkha (Rajuk).
