Devanahalli land acquisition withdrawal victory for farmers: Actor Prakash Raj
Bengaluru: Celebrated multilingual actor and activist Prakash Raj hailed the Karnataka government's decision to cancel the land acquisition process in Channarayanapatna and other villages of Devanahalli taluk as a "historic victory" for the farmers.
Reacting to Chief Minister Siddaramaiah’s announcement on the withdrawal of the acquisition notification, Prakash Raj said, “This is a win for those farmers who firmly stood by their land and consistently fought to remain as cultivators. It is a powerful example of how people’s movements, when sustained with determination, can lead to historic victories.”
Prakash Raj, who had extended his support to the agitating farmers and even participated in their protests, stated that the government's decision is a result of the farmers’ unrelenting struggle, despite immense pressure and inducements. “They resisted for three long years without giving in to any offers or temptations. This movement is not just a protest but a symbol of the power of collective voice,” he added.
He further said that when ordinary citizens anywhere rise against injustice, and when society stands with them, governments are forced to listen. “If someone cries alone, the world ignores it. But when another person stands beside the one who is crying, a movement begins. And that’s what happened here. This is a huge step forward in the awakening of public consciousness,” he noted.
Speaking to reporters, Prakash Raj also commented on Siddaramaiah’s role in the matter. “The Chief Minister has shown that he is truly a people’s leader. But let us not forget—it took him three years to hear the farmers’ plea. While it’s commendable that he finally responded, the delay also needs to be acknowledged.”
He emphasized the importance of an alert and questioning civil society, saying, “No matter how good a leader may be, they will only remain good if people keep questioning them. Otherwise, power itself can corrupt. Even good leaders need strength and support from the people to continue doing the right thing. This farmers’ protest has proven that,” he said.
Prakash Raj concluded by saying that this struggle should become a starting point for many such people’s movements, and it sets a strong example for others fighting injustice across the country.
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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).
