Protesters in Koppal demand dismissal of Minister M.B. Patil from Cabinet for his statement in Council over Baldota’s expansion

The Koppal District Bachao Andolan Samiti and Parisara Hitarakshana Vedike on Saturday staged a protest in Koppal demanding the immediate dismissal of Minister for Large and Medium Industries M.B. Patil from the State Cabinet, accusing him of making an “irresponsible” statement in the Legislative Council regarding the controversial expansion of the Baldota group’s BSPL plant.

Gathering at Ashoka Circle, activists condemned Mr. Patil’s remarks in response to a question raised by Council member Hemalatha Naik, who had sought to know why cattle in Basapur village were being deprived of drinking water from the Basapur tank following alleged encroachments by MSPL, and why the Chief Minister’s stay order halting BSPL’s expansion had not been enforced.

Instead of addressing these concerns, Mr. Patil allegedly passed the responsibility on to the Union government and suggested the expansion would go ahead, the protesters said holding that Minister’s statement amounted to insulting the Chief Minister’s order as well as the people of Koppal.

“The future of over 1.5 lakh people in Koppal and Bhagyanagar is at stake due to the BSPL expansion. Earlier this year, on 24 February, thousands of residents observed a bandh against the expansion and the environmental damage caused by MSPL’s pellet plant chimney. The Chief Minister’s subsequent order halting the expansion had been welcomed with relief. But people are still waiting for a permanent ban. Instead, the Minister has taken a pro-industry stand, betraying the people’s trust,” the writer and activists Allamaprabhu Bettadur said during the agitation.

The protesters also pointed out that, despite a High Court order directing that the Basapur tank remain free for public use, the company had fenced off the tank, denying villagers and their livestock access to drinking water. They alleged that the complaints and petitions to the district administration had gone unanswered and, on the contrary, herders who attempted to water their cattle at the tank were assaulted and even booked in criminal cases.

“The Minister had said in the House that he would direct the Deputy Commissioner to ensure water supply from the tank, but no action has been taken so far. Such a Minister has no right to remain in the Cabinet,” Mr. Bettadur said.

The protesters demanded that the government dismiss M.B. Patil from the Cabinet, revoke the company’s approval to use the Basapur tank, and issue a permanent order halting BSPL’s expansion without delay.

Leaders of both organisations, including Basavaraj Sheelavantara, K.B. Gonal, Manjunath G. Gondabal, Mahantesh Kotabal, D.M. Badiger, Mudukappa Hosamani, S.A. Gaffar, Shivappa Hadapad, Ravi Kanthanavar, Mangalesh Rathod, Hanumantappa Gondi, Shantappa Angadi, M.D. Patil, Shambulinga Harageri, Hanumappa Katagi, Bandenawaz Maniyar, Sunkappa Meesi, Yamanurappa and Sunkamma were among those who took part in the protest.