R ARIVANANTHAM
CHENNAI, MAR 9
A strong wave of protest from Tamil Nadu’s farming community reached Chennai on Monday as hundreds of farmers from Krishnagiri district were detained by police while attempting to submit petitions to major political party offices.
The farmers, representing the Namathu Nilam Namadhe Farmers Welfare Association, had travelled from their villages to highlight what they described as a looming threat to fertile agricultural lands in Krishnagiri district, particularly in Hosur and surrounding villages.
- Hundreds arrested in chennai as farmers attempt to petition political parties to save fertile lands
- Proposed Hosur Greenfield Airport and Knowledge Corridor could impact 39,000 acres and 50,000 farming families
- Farmers warn development must not come at the cost of agriculture and rural livelihoods
- Villages across Hosur Taluk fear loss of generations-old farmlands sustaining local economy
Their central demand: stop the proposed acquisition of farmlands for major infrastructure projects including the Hosur Greenfield International Airport and the proposed Hosur Knowledge Corridor.
Thousands of Acres at Stake
Farmers from twelve revenue villages in Hosur Taluk expressed grave concern over reports that nearly 39,000 acres of fertile agricultural land may be acquired for large infrastructure and industrial developments.
According to farmer representatives, the move could affect around 50,000 farming families whose livelihoods depend entirely on agriculture.
In a press statement, the State President of the association, Kumara Ravikumar, said the proposed projects threaten the very survival of farming communities in the region.
“These fertile farmlands have sustained farming families like ours for generations, and agriculture remains our only source of livelihood. While extending our full cooperation to the Government, we have respectfully urged that these fertile agricultural lands be excluded from large industrial and infrastructure projects that have no direct relation to agriculture, including the proposed International Airport, Knowledge Corridor, SIPCOT industrial developments, and Special Economic Zones.”
He added that the farmers are determined to defend their land and livelihoods.
“Even if it costs us our lives, we will not give up our farmlands. We stand united and determined in protecting our lands. We remain hopeful that a government entrusted with safeguarding rural communities and their future will take a balanced and thoughtful decision that supports development without destroying the livelihoods of farmers.”
Villages Fear Displacement
According to the association, several villages including Mudali, Balavanapalli, Pethamudali, and Athavanapalli are expected to be directly affected by the airport proposal.
Other villages such as Dasappalanatham (Dasappalli), Karuppalli, Nandimangalam, Soodakondapalli, Venkatesapuram, Miduthepalli, Attur and Alanatham, along with several surrounding hamlets, may also face significant impact if the projects proceed.
Farmers say the lands under consideration are among the most fertile agricultural belts in the region, producing food crops that sustain thousands of families and support the local rural economy.
Farmers Detained in Chennai
The protest in Chennai turned tense when police detained hundreds of farmers who attempted to submit petitions at political party offices demanding intervention.
Among those present were key members of the association including Nagaraju Gowda, V. Narayanasamy, Durga Prakash, and Murugan.
The farmers reiterated that they are not opposing development, but insist that projects must be planned without sacrificing fertile agricultural lands that support rural communities.
Development vs. Livelihood Debate
The unfolding protest has once again highlighted the broader debate across India — how to balance infrastructure development with agricultural sustainability.
For the farmers of Krishnagiri, however, the issue is deeply personal.
For them, the land is not merely property — it is their identity, livelihood and heritage.
