On 31 May 2025, around 20,000 farmers protested in Gubbi taluk of Tumakuru district opposing the Hemavati Express Link Canal project that aims to divert the canal water in Hassan district to Magadi taluk in the neighbouring Bengaluru South district. The protest, defying prohibitory orders, turned violent as some people threw stones on buses and damaged vehicles during the stir. The protesters also blocked the Bengaluru-Shivamogga-Honnavara NH-206, set tyres ablaze, deflated the tyres of KSRTC buses, disrupted traffic, and damaged equipment, including a JCB.
A total of 13 FIRs were filed against over 100 people, including three MLAs and two religious leaders. The FIRs included several non-bailable sections of the BNS, as one police officer sustained serious injuries during the protest. Charges were filed under Sections 109, 191, 115(2), 121(1), 132, 189(2), 190, 223, 351(2), and 352.
The Hemavati Express Link Canal Project, also known as the Kunigal Express Link Canal or Sriranga Drinking Water Project, is a Rs 1,000-crore initiative by the Karnataka state irrigation department. It aims to supply drinking water to Kunigal (Tumakuru district) and Magadi (South Bengaluru District, formerly Ramanagara district) by diverting water from the Hemavathi River through a 34.5 km underground pipeline connecting the 70 km to 165 km points of the Tumakuru Branch Canal. Integrated with the Sri Ranga Lift Irrigation Project, it also proposes to fill 83 lakes in Magadi using 0.67 tmcft of water for groundwater recharge.
The project was initially approved in 2018 by the JD(S)-Congress alliance but was later shelved by the BJP government under B S Yediyurappa. The current Congress government revived it in January 2024. A technical committee headed by Arvind D Kanagile submitted a feasibility report the same year. Based on its recommendations, the project was approved on 19 October 2024, aiming to address long-standing water shortages in Kunigal taluk, which has received only 10% of its allocated 3.676 TMC over the past decade.
The project, however, has drawn strong opposition from Tumakuru farmers, who allege that it diverts their share of water to the South Bengaluru district.** **
In response to the protest by Gubbi farmers, on 5 June 2025, Magadi farmers staged a counter-protest near Solur, blocking the Bengaluru–Mangaluru National Highway to demand early implementation. Several protesters, including Congress MLA H C Balakrishna, were detained and later released from custody.
Farmers of Bennuru and Sankapura villages claim no prior land acquisition or compensation process was undertaken, and many were unaware of the project until construction materials arrived. Several farmers, including B P Chandrashekar of Bennuru, approached the Gubbi court, securing a permanent injunction against excavation. They fear that deep-rooted crops like coconut and areca nut will no longer grow above the pipeline. A key objection is also the use of underground pipelines instead of open canals, which farmers argue would also support irrigation and livestock. Only about 450 metres of excavation have been completed on Muzrai Department land in Sankapura village. Key components like the pumping station and substations under the Sri Ranga Lift Irrigation Project are already in place.
As of July 2025, the Karnataka government remains committed to the project. Deputy CM and Minister for Water Resources, Govt of Karnataka, D K Shivakumar, stated that 40 percent of the work is complete and assured that Tumakuru’s water supply will not be affected. Despite ongoing resistance, the government has confirmed that construction will continue. Union Minister V Somanna (Jal Shakti & Railways) has formally urged to withdrawal of police cases against protesters.
Meanwhile, the Karnataka government has tasked IISc with conducting a scientific study on the project’s feasibility and impact.
Demand/Contention of the Affected Community
Complaint against procedural violations
Demand to cancel the project
Other Demand/Contention of the Affected Community
Region Classification
Rural
Type of Land
Common and Private
Non-Forest (Other than Grazing Land)
What was the action taken by the police?
Detention
How many people did the police detain or arrest?
100
What is the current status of the detained/accused persons?
Released from detention
Did the person face any violence while in police custody?
If any arrests took place, were the accused persons produced before a judge within 24 hours of the arrest?
If the accused was not produced before a magistrate within 24 hours, or not produced at all, what were the reasons?
Legislation under which the accused was charged
Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), 2023
Sections 109-Attempt to murder, 191-Rioting, 115(2)-Voluntarily causing hurt., 121(1)- Voluntarily causing hurt or grievous hurt to deter public servant from his duty, 132- Assault or criminal force to deter public servant from discharge of his duty., 189(2)-Unlawful assembly,190-Every member of unlawful assembly guilty of offence committed in prosecution of common object, 223- Disobedience to order issued by public servant., 351(2)- Criminal intimidation, and 352-Intentional insult with intent to provoke breach of peace
Was the accused person informed of their right to legal representation? Did the accused person have access to legal aid?
In cases where the accused person approached the court for bail, was bail granted?
Why was bail granted or rejected? If granted, what were the bail conditions and quantum of bail?
Details of sources (names of accused, names and numbers of any lawyers, names of any police officers contacted)
Status of Project
Project underway despite protests
Original Project Deadline
Whether the Project has been Delayed
No
Significance of Land to Land Owners/Users
Agricultural land, Water bodies
Whether the project was stalled due to land conflict
No
Source/Reference
Total investment involved (in Crores):
₹
1000
Type of investment:
Cost of Project
Year of Estimation
2025
Has the Conflict Ended?
No
When did it end?
Why did the conflict end?
Categories of Legislations Involved in the Conflict
Legislations/Policies Involved
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Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit. Suspendisse varius enim in eros elementum tristique. Duis cursus, mi quis viverra ornare, eros dolor interdum nulla, ut commodo diam libero vitae erat. Aenean faucibus nibh et justo cursus id rutrum lorem imperdiet. Nunc ut sem vitae risus tristique posuere.
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit. Suspendisse varius enim in eros elementum tristique. Duis cursus, mi quis viverra ornare, eros dolor interdum nulla, ut commodo diam libero vitae erat. Aenean faucibus nibh et justo cursus id rutrum lorem imperdiet. Nunc ut sem vitae risus tristique posuere.
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit. Suspendisse varius enim in eros elementum tristique. Duis cursus, mi quis viverra ornare, eros dolor interdum nulla, ut commodo diam libero vitae erat. Aenean faucibus nibh et justo cursus id rutrum lorem imperdiet. Nunc ut sem vitae risus tristique posuere.
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit. Suspendisse varius enim in eros elementum tristique. Duis cursus, mi quis viverra ornare, eros dolor interdum nulla, ut commodo diam libero vitae erat. Aenean faucibus nibh et justo cursus id rutrum lorem imperdiet. Nunc ut sem vitae risus tristique posuere.
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit. Suspendisse varius enim in eros elementum tristique. Duis cursus, mi quis viverra ornare, eros dolor interdum nulla, ut commodo diam libero vitae erat. Aenean faucibus nibh et justo cursus id rutrum lorem imperdiet. Nunc ut sem vitae risus tristique posuere.
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit. Suspendisse varius enim in eros elementum tristique. Duis cursus, mi quis viverra ornare, eros dolor interdum nulla, ut commodo diam libero vitae erat. Aenean faucibus nibh et justo cursus id rutrum lorem imperdiet. Nunc ut sem vitae risus tristique posuere.
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit. Suspendisse varius enim in eros elementum tristique. Duis cursus, mi quis viverra ornare, eros dolor interdum nulla, ut commodo diam libero vitae erat. Aenean faucibus nibh et justo cursus id rutrum lorem imperdiet. Nunc ut sem vitae risus tristique posuere.
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit. Suspendisse varius enim in eros elementum tristique. Duis cursus, mi quis viverra ornare, eros dolor interdum nulla, ut commodo diam libero vitae erat. Aenean faucibus nibh et justo cursus id rutrum lorem imperdiet. Nunc ut sem vitae risus tristique posuere.
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit. Suspendisse varius enim in eros elementum tristique. Duis cursus, mi quis viverra ornare, eros dolor interdum nulla, ut commodo diam libero vitae erat. Aenean faucibus nibh et justo cursus id rutrum lorem imperdiet. Nunc ut sem vitae risus tristique posuere.
Whether claims/objections were made as per procedure in the relevant statute
Yes
What was the claim(s)/objection(s) raised by the community?
What was the Decision of the Concerned Government Department?
Legal Processes and Loopholes Enabling the Conflict:
Non-implementation/violation of LARR Act
Violation of free prior informed consent
Controversial land acquisition by the government
Legal Status:
In Court
Status of Case In Court
Disposed
Whether any adjudicatory body was approached
No
Name of the adjudicatory body
Name(s) of the Court(s)
Gubbi Court
Case Number
Main Reasoning/Decision of court
Major Human Rights Violations Related to the Conflict:
Arrest/detention/imprisonment
Physical attack
Whether criminal law was used against protestors:
Sections 191, 115(2), 121(1), 132, 189(2), 190, 223, 351(2), and 352. of BNS and Section 109 (abetment to murder) of the BNS against BJP leader Dilip Kumar and others, following the severe injury of Inspector Lohith BN during the unrest.
Reported Details of the Violation:
Despite Section 144 (prohibitory orders) being in force, protesters assembled in large numbers, leading to clashes with police. During the agitation: Protesters burnt tyres, blocked the Bengaluru - Shivamogga NH-206, and damaged public property including a JCB machine. In the chaos, Inspector Lohith B.N. suffered serious injuries after being struck with mud bricks and stones. Police responded with: A heavy deployment of personnel to prevent access to the project site. Multiple FIRs (13 in total) filed against over 100 people, including three Opposition MLAs and religious leaders. Several non-bailable charges were invoked under the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), 2023.
Date of Violation
May 30, 2025
Location of Violation
Bengaluru - Shivamogga NH-206
Government Departments Involved in the Conflict:
Karnataka State Irrigation Department
PSUs Involved in the Conflict:
NA
Did LCW Approach Government Authorities for Comments?
Name, Designation and Comment of the Government Authorities Approached
Corporate Parties Involved in the Conflict:
NA
Did LCW Approach Corporate Parties for Comments?
Communities/Local Organisations in the Conflict:
Tumakuru District Farmers’ Association
What was the action taken by the police?
Detention
How many people did the police detain or arrest?
100
What is the current status of the detained/accused persons?
Released from detention
Did the person face any violence while in police custody?
If any arrests took place, were the accused persons produced before a judge within 24 hours of the arrest?
If the accused was not produced before a magistrate within 24 hours, or not produced at all, what were the reasons?
Legislation under which the accused was charged
Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), 2023
Sections 109-Attempt to murder, 191-Rioting, 115(2)-Voluntarily causing hurt., 121(1)- Voluntarily causing hurt or grievous hurt to deter public servant from his duty, 132- Assault or criminal force to deter public servant from discharge of his duty., 189(2)-Unlawful assembly,190-Every member of unlawful assembly guilty of offence committed in prosecution of common object, 223- Disobedience to order issued by public servant., 351(2)- Criminal intimidation, and 352-Intentional insult with intent to provoke breach of peace
Was the accused person informed of their right to legal representation? Did the accused person have access to legal aid?
In cases where the accused person approached the court for bail, was bail granted?
Why was bail granted or rejected? If granted, what were the bail conditions and quantum of bail?
Were there any other notable irregularities that took place, or other significant details?
Asmita Sutar is an Architect and Urban Planner passionate about shaping sustainable communities through research and grassroots engagement. She also serves as an Assistant Professor in Urban and Regional Planning, bringing academic insight to her multidisciplinaryapproach.
As a State Researcher from Karnataka, Asmita investigates land and planning issues through the lenses of equity, governance, and community rights, with a focus on bridging the gap between policy and lived realities in India’s urban and rural landscapes.
