In a powerful act of protest, residents of Balugodu village in Karnataka's Sullia taluk have declared their intention to boycott all upcoming elections. The villagers, citing a complete lack of basic infrastructure and unfulfilled promises, have mounted banners across their hamlets, warning political representatives not to seek their votes until their demands are met.
The Core Grievances: Decades of Neglect
The protest stems from deep-seated frustration among permanent residents, many of whom have lived in the area for over half a century. Villagers from Bettumakki, Gorthila, Panne, Mittadka, and Pooneri – all under the Hariharapallathadka gram panchayat – have united in their cause. Their list of unmet needs is fundamental: proper roads, title deeds for their land, adequate housing, access to clean water, and even basic facilities like crematoriums.
Despite submitting numerous memorandums to various departments and staging protests in front of the gram panchayat, their pleas have gone unheard. The issue was even formally raised during grievance meetings chaired by the local tahsildar, yet no concrete measures were taken to resolve the problems, as stated on the banners erected by the community.
A Specific Legal Hurdle: Section 94C
Beyond general infrastructure, a specific legal bottleneck has fueled the anger. The villagers highlighted that many applications filed for the regularisation of government land under Section 94C of the Karnataka Land Revenue Act remain pending, unresolved for years. They have demanded that all related files be cleared immediately.
Their ultimatum is clear: if the authorities fail to initiate steps to provide all basic facilities before the announcement of any election, they will formally abstain from voting. This sentiment is so strong that many households have put up boards explicitly stating, "Do not come to our house seeking votes."
History Repeats, But Will Solutions?
This is not the first time Sullia taluk has witnessed such a protest. Similar banners announcing poll boycotts were seen during the last assembly elections. On that occasion, the Dakshina Kannada district administration and zilla panchayat, through Systematic Voters' Education and Electoral Participation (SVEEP) activities, managed to convince villagers and address some problems.
However, the recurrence suggests underlying issues persist. Local MLA Bhagirathi Murulya criticised the state government, accusing it of failing to release funds for development works in Sullia. "The government has been making only promises. We have not received even 25% of the sanctions for the constituency yet," Murulya said, adding that the government had not even earmarked funds for an Ambedkar Bhavan in the taluk, thereby increasing public grievances.
The current standoff in Balugodu village puts the spotlight on the fundamental contract between citizens and the state. It challenges whether the right to vote can be exercised meaningfully when the right to basic dignity and infrastructure remains unfulfilled. The coming days will test the administration's willingness to listen and act before another election cycle begins.
